Education UAE Issue 3

Where Learning and Life Come Together SEPTEMBER 2019

EXPO SCHOOL PROGRAMME HOW STUDENTS CAN GET INVOLVED

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LEARNING, FRIENDSHIP, AND FUN FOR EVERYONE

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n a changing society, shaped by the fourth industrial revolution, the UAE is a prime mover in advancing education and tolerance in a world where technology and digital transformation is making the globe smaller than ever. Read about the Expo School Programme, for instance, within this issue of Education UAE. Our Back to School issue looks not only at inclusion and up-to-theminute skills, but also some classic and anxious first-time parent questions in the hope of making it all a little easier, because we know that back to school means big changes for both children and their mums and dads.

We look at the benefits of teachers sharing best practice within the education sector, as well as the importance of learning a second (or third) language, plus the amazing health benefits of cayenne pepper. Then, for parents of toddlers, we discover why youngsters feel safe and emotionally protected with a ‘security blanket’, in addition to finding out a few of

the ‘professional’ secrets to potty training.

Mental health is on the agenda, too, as we investigate how children become unhappy, upset, and anxious when their parents are stressed, and how it is vital that youngsters are shown how to deal with stress effectively. There is even a story on our ‘furry children’, where we look at how cats and dogs are also susceptible to mental illness.

Planning a vacation? May we suggest the country ranked the most liveable city in the world for the 10th consecutive year, Vienna, or one of our top holiday locations in under five hours. You’ll find fascinating details and suggestions concerning both within these pages.

As ever, Education UAE is packed with news and feature articles that we are sure will not only educate and inform, but entertain. What’s more, we welcome any news and stories that you would like to share with us, so get in touch – this is your platform!

TEAM Atif Raza Belinda Breeze Daniel Murad Dorothy Brigoli Doris Leonor Eddie Rayner Jane Muff Laura Wojciechowski Israr Ul Hassan Rod Millington Roshan Anthony Sudasha Shabnam Bashiri Nezhad Sheetal Khullar Adhvaryu Taer Badejo Umair Siddiqui

CONTACT

educationuae@tpg.media www.education-uae.com +971 4 223 6578

SOCIAL MEDIA

@educationuaemag @educationuaemag

Rod Millington Editor-in-Chief

Rod Millington has been active in the commercial writing sector for over 30 years, with work published throughout Europe, North America, the Far East, and the Middle East.

During this time, he has had the privilege to speak to a wide range of fascinating and entrepreneurial people, from captains of industry through to pop icons such as Sir Paul McCartney.

In total, Rod has had over 25 million words committed to print across more than 35 publications for clients as diverse as FIFA, Cunard, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, and Dubai Municipality.

This magazine is published by TPG Publishing LLC. All material is the copyright of TPG Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. This magazine is the property of TPG Publishing LLC. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or part without written permission of the Managing Director of TPG Publishing LLC. While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence arising from it. In the case of company or product reviews or comments, these have been based upon the true and honest opinion of the Editor at the time of going to press.

All our publications are printed using recycled paper.

BECAUSE WE CARE

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6

Contents

32

A Home for an Academic

75

KidZania Learning and Fun Rolled Into One

87

Meal Time Magic

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THE FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE… DID YOU KNOW?

THE LOUNGE

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge

58 Magrudy’s Top Four Books

Sharjah Education Council

64 Monkey See, Monkey Stress

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9

New School Type in Abu Dhabi

Sharjah Making Schools More Friendly

Knowledge and Human Development Authority

10 KHDA Campaign Brings Fun and Friendship 10 New Schools on the Block Updated

Ministry Of Education

PARENT’S CORNER

BON VOYAGE Travel Far

70 Vienna – Now, Forever

Travel Near

74 Hop Skip Holiday

13 Schools to Introduce Chinese Language

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD

EXCELLENCE IN

Beauty

Pre-school

76 Back to School Hairstyles

18 Flushing Out the Truth 20 My Teddy and Me

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Schools

82 I am Lost, Hear My Cry

30 When Educators Come Together 36 Benefitting from Work Experience

Higher Education

44 Lugha La Langue Language

KNOW IT ALL!

Myth or Truth?

What’s Good For Me?

84 Depression and Our Furry Friends

What’s Cooking?

90 Every Child Needs #Food_Heroes

Academics

52 Augmented Reality See the Unseen

My Journey

54 Pali Chandra Dancer, Performer, Mentor

ADVICE

THE COUNTRY’S FAVOURITE BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS Parents and students across the country are celebrating as the summer comes to an end and another school year begins! Keep an eye out for fun bits of advice for this year from educators in the UAE.

Students, routines are very important! This way you know what to expect. Get home. Have a Snack. Set some free time for yourself. Then tackle homework.

Whatever works for you, but make it a routine..

ANDY LYONS, Director at Ignite School

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Did You Know?

NEWS SECTION

Bringing you the latest education data, achievements, and development plans from local authorities, including Ministry of Education (MOE), Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), and Sharjah Education Council (SEC).

ADEK

NEW SCHOOL TYPE IN ABU DHABI The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced implementing the Charter Schools project through the Education Partnership Schools (EPS) programme, which creates charter schools funded by the government and run by the private sector.

Following a thorough tender bidding and evaluation process, ADEK identified three leading private sector educational operators in the Emirate, which are Aldar Education, Bloom Education and Taaleem.

The EPS programme is one of the initiatives launched by the Abu Dhabi Government Accelerators Programme, Ghadan 21, under its social pillar, which will develop and prepare students with the skills for the future and help to deliver the national vision.

The 12 public schools, nine of which are based in Abu Dhabi City and three in Al Ain, will offer kindergarten and elementary education, with more stages to be introduced as children progress in their education.

Sara Musallam, Chairperson of ADEK, commented, “This partnership with the private sector will benefit all stakeholders in the education ecosystem including students, parents, teachers and administrators. Educators will also benefit from the training courses and workshops that come with the EPS programme.”

Khulood Al Dhaheri, Division Manager of Educational Institution Contract Management at ADEK, who is managing the EPS programme, stressed that the programme’s ultimate goal is to encourage competitiveness and boost efficiency by harnessing the expertise of the private sector.

EPS is set to provide 5,000 seats in the coming academic year across 12 public schools Rus S/shutterstock.com

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TRAVELLING THE WORLD FOR A UNIQUE FOCUS The Ministry of Education has sent 81 students from the United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Zayed University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology to world-leading universities. They are to take part in one of two Enrichment Higher Education Ambassadors Programmes, implemented by the Ministry during summer 2019 as part of the fourth edition of the Ambassadors Initiative.

MOE

The four-week program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst focuses on modern technology and its use in finding contemporary solutions to problems related to society and sustainability.

The enrichment programme implemented at the National University of Singapore focuses on concepts of innovation, methods of generating innovative ideas, creative design and innovative thinking, characteristics and cost of an innovative product, a product’s financial and marketing planning, project management, and the role of innovation in maximising profit in all sectors.

DUBAI CARES

DUBAI CARES ABOUT INDONESIA Dubai Cares has announced the launch of a two-year programme in Indonesia that is focused on the training of school leaders within underperforming schools in marginalised communities.

Entitled ‘Improving Quality of Education through Training of School Leaders in Indonesia’, the programme is set to create a more impactful administration and elevate both teacher and student performance by developing solutions that can be implemented at scale across the whole country.

75

school leaders training

10,000

students and SHARJAH MAKING SCHOOLS MORE FRIENDLY

250

teachers benefit

SEC

Sharjah Baby Friendly Office (SBFO), Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Sharjah Education Council (SEC) will launch a ‘Child-Friendly Schools (CFS)’ initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

KEY ELEMENTS OF CFS ARE:  Raising awareness on child rights  Supporting children’s participation in initiatives  Protecting children from all forms of violence and abuse  The integration of children with special needs into mainstream education The Emirate of Sharjah recently celebrated their first anniversary of being named the Middle East’s first Child-Friendly City by UNICEF. Go to page 58 to read more and see what some residents have to say.

The programme has received a funding of approximately AED2.4 million

10 Did You Know?

KHDA

NEW SCHOOLS ON THE BLOCK UPDATED The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has officially announced eight new schools will open in Dubai, September 2020. Five have been announced for the start of this year.

Some of the schools that opened this year are Apple International School (Branch), Arcadia High School, Ghaf Primary School, Ambassador International Academy L.L.C., and Al Salam Community School.

3

new schools in 2020 = over

13,000 new seats

41

new schools over the past three years

211

private schools in Dubai

38

schools rated ‘Good’ and above in 2008

199

schools rated ‘Good’ and above in 2019

SEC Rus S/shutterstock.com

SHARJAH RULER ISSUES DECREE RESTRUCTURING SEC His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree restructuring the Sharjah Education Council (SEC).

The new Emiri Decree No 16 of 2019 stipulates that Dr Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi will head the SEC, which will have five members.

The Decree shall be effective from the date of its issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette. Any provision contrary to its provisions shall be repealed.

KHDA

KHDA CAMPAIGN BRINGS FUN AND FRIENDSHIP This summer the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) hosted their annual #8WeekStreak summer campaign, which encourages school students to try new activities and experiences throughout the school break.

During the months of July and August, KHDA arranged educational trips around Dubai, enabling children to continue their learning in different environments, such as The Green Planet and Hub Zero. This year’s theme highlighted ‘Five Ways of Wellbeing’, which included activities surrounding Giving, Being Active, Learning, Connecting, and Taking Notice.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of KHDA says, “Learning doesn’t confine to the boundaries of the 180 days of school. The best schooling I can offer is an experience for kids that they will remember. Most of the learning happens during summer through fun and friendships. During our campaign every year, we try to take the kids to places they’ve never been before. We make sure the students are all different ages and from different schools, to give them that opportunity to meet and interact with new people of similar interests.”

In 2018, nearly 200 students joined the activities at Oli Oli, Ski Dubai, Adventure HQ, Al Boom Diving, among others.

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MOE

MOE

ABU DHABI CROWN PRINCE RECEIVES ‘AMBASSADORS OF GIVING’ His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received a delegation of students who volunteered in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Zanzibar during their summer vacation.

Developed by the Ministry of Education, the initiative was part of the fourth round of the “Ambassadors of Giving Programme”, and involves a new, comprehensive and contemporary learning vision in which the educational objectives integrate with one another.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was briefed by the students, accompanied by several academic leaders and supervisors, about the goals of their team, which included spreading the values of giving, solidarity, assistance, cooperation and love.

The initiative is based on innovation, giving, and a vision of the future.

MOCD

SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE The Ministry of Community Development, MOCD, has organised a basic level sign language course for children between 4-12 years old.

The gesture aimed to teach children the basics of sign language and communication techniques.

The Sign Language Basics course for children was characterised by the interaction of young children who showed a remarkable enthusiasm to learn their names and some daily sentences in sign language.

The course was presented by Abeer Al Shehhi, Sign Language Expert at the Ministry, and Ayman Al Maqbali, a person of determination who has a hearing disability.

More than 60 boys and girls from all over the Emirates participated in a sign language course

SCHOOLS TO INTRODUCE CHINESE LANGUAGE A Chinese language programme will officially launch in UAE schools starting this academic year, a report by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) has revealed.

Titled, ‘Chinese Language Programme: Current Status and Future Plan,’ the ministry report noted the “historic peak” in relations between the UAE and China, adding that there is a growing interest among “Emirati people to understand the Chinese language and culture.”

The framework describes learning outcomes with four skills addressed separately within each level.

Each level of the ministry’s Chinese Language Levels is aligned to the Chinese Language Proficiency Test, known as Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR. Following its launch in September 2019, the programme’s implementation stage will be carried out over the next three years, the report said, noting ongoing monitoring and evaluation processes will take place to ensure its effectiveness.

MOE announced last year that the Chinese language would be taught in 100 schools in 2019 through student clubs, to Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 students.

National Chinese Language Curriculum Framework implemented:

60

schools

Grades

7 to 12

150 teachers to be recruited Chinese language

My School Journey

What does a ticket include?

WITH EXPO 2020 DUBAI On 20 October 2020, the UAE will welcome the world. With 192 participating countries and millions of expected visitors, Expo 2020 will be a once-in-alifetime celebration that seeks to build connections for a brighter future.

Young people, especially school students, are at the heart of this World Expo and its hopes for a transformational legacy for the UAE and the world.

Schools across the UAE are encouraged to schedule multiple visits to Expo 2020 to discover the four unique journeys.

Each immersive experience provides learning outcomes that compliment curricula offered in the UAE. Schools will be able to sign up via a dedicated booking system, due to go live by the end of 2019.

AED50 1) Entry to Expo 2020 2) Curated journeys exclusively for school groups 3) Group tour guide 4) Identification band 5) Expo will grant complimentary access for one accompanying adult per five, 10 or 15 pupils, depending on the age of the children.

THE WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES

THE UNIVERSE IN MOTION

Students will discover how to unlock opportunities and learn about new ideas that will inspire them to act. They may also visit the Opportunity Pavilion where they will witness the real impact of their actions and see how they can become positive agents of change in their own communities.

Travel through the past, present, and future of movement, from ancient exploration to artificial intelligence. On this journey, students will discover evolution through the physical and digital realms.

15

THE SUSTAINABLE PLANET

THE LEGACY OF UAE

How will our environmental choices today affect the world tomorrow? This journey might include a visit to the Sustainability Pavilion where students can tiptoe underneath a dense forest, risk the planet’s future in a game of high-stakes pinball, and meet a giant fish concerned about the plastic waste in its ocean home.

Students will discover more about the UAE’s rich culture and heritage as well as its plans for a brighter future as they experience the mesmerising architecture of the UAE pavilion, designed in the shape of a falcon in flight.

How can schools get involved?

The Expo 2020 Young Innovators Programme is all about innovation and creative problem-solving. It involves sharing the next big ideas from UAE students online, with the potential for others to be showcased physically or digitally during Expo 2020. World Expos have always been known as great platforms for human innovation and ingenuity.

Young Innovators It is now Expo 2020 Dubai’s time to show ambitious students’ innovations to the world. Are you on the verge of creating the next big invention that the world needs? The Expo Young Innovators Programme wants to hear from you.

To find out more visit schools.expo2020dubai.com/en/teachers/expo-young-innovators

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MAKING MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES Alya Al Ali, the Vice President of the Expo School Programme, discusses the importance of the school community’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“As the innovators and thought leaders of tomorrow, school students have a central role to play in creating a better world for generations to come. Expo 2020 Dubai offers an unparalleled learning opportunity that will broaden students’ horizons and spark their curiosity.

Our four dedicated thematic journeys will take students on a unique, meaningful experience.

We aim to inspire them in an immersive and engaging environment where they can explore key drivers of future progress and discover the cultures and innovations of more than 190 participating countries. With so many fascinating learning opportunities, we encourage schools to include visits to Expo 2020 when planning their academic programming.

Providing a platform for students to showcase their ideas and inventions will ingrain the strong message that students are the future. Our Expo Young Innovators programme encourages students as young as KG come up with innovations they believe will have a positive impact on their community. The programme develops their ideas and, with our resources, turns them into prototypes enabling students to bring their inventions to life.

‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is the theme of Expo 2020, and every student that visits will walk away with a better understanding of Global Citizenship, having connected with minds from around the world and been inspired and motivated to do their part to create a better future for all.”

For more information visit

schools.expo2020dubai.com SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: @Expo2020Schools

Instagram: @expo2020schools

Twitter: @expo2020schools

18 18 Excellence in Pre-School

FLUSHING OUT THE TRUTH POTTY TRAINING YOUR LITTLE ONE CAN BE QUITE THE TASK AND WITH SCHOOLS STARTING YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON A TIGHT TIMELINE. REMEMBER TO BREATHE PARENTS! HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON MAKING THIS PROCESS EASIER FOR YOU AND YOUR LITTLE ONE.

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“Potty training is a combination of cerebellar function, which is a neurological process, and behavioural training or conditioning,” Devika says. “I usually recommend introducing ‘baby potty’ around 15 to 18 months; encouraging children to sit on the potty at regular intervals.

“One of the keys to potty training is to keep it fun and simple. There will be days where everything goes to plan and there will be days when nothing goes to plan.

Stress can affect the neurological resources available to a child to develop the skill of potty training. Children can get stressed by many external events and by illnesses.

However, it is parental stress that usually needs to be addressed. When parents expectations are not met this can trigger a whole cascade of stressful emotions, which then get passed on to children. This happens with verbal, but mostly non-verbal, communication that parents may not even be aware of.”

Look for the Signs “Children usually give a few signs that they’re ready for potty training, “Theresa says. “Including having a dry nappy for a few nights or after naps and bringing attention to the fact they have a wet or dirty nappy by pulling at it. Don’t forget that by trying to potty train a child before they are ready and able will only cause lots of parent-child stress and anxiety. Again, it needs to be said that children aren’t typically ready to potty train until at least 18 months to two years of age.

I’ve heard it said many times that potty training boys is harder than training girls. While there may be a few differences between the sexes with potty training, the concept is the same. It’s all about knowing your child and if they’re ready for this stage of learning. I have three children - a son and two daughters - and my son was actually ready and toilet trained at a much earlier age than both my girls.

“With my children, before the serious training began, I used to leave the potty around so that they could have little practice sits on it. Also, I let them choose their new big girl or big boy underwear, which made the prospect of toilet training an exciting event! And remember to offer praise each time your child sits on the potty… whether they perform or not.

ADVICE Parents, help your child focus on developing emotional strength and resilience by devoting energy to the traits of mindfulness including the development of tolerance and empathy.

SADIA WAJID, Principal at Al Sadiq Islamic English School

Devika’s top four pointers for parents are:  Prime the process before you begin by showing excitement and involvement when buying the potty, underwear, potty training books, etc.  Toddlers love to mirror adults, so show them how to do the very thing you expect of them.  Make it easy by choosing the right clothes and an easy place to access the potty.  The most important thing is to give specific praise for effort.

Recommended potty training age: when a child is around 15 to 18 months.

Devika Mankani is a certified psychologist at The Hundred Wellness Centre and occasionally offers her services at Sunmarke School.

Theresa O’Brien an Early Year’s teacher at Children’s Oasis Nursery and has been an educator for over 30 years. She is also mother to three grown children.

20 Excellence in Pre-School

MY TEDDY & ME WE ALL HEAR STORIES ABOUT THE LENGTHS PARENTS HAVE GONE TO GET BACK A FORGOTTEN COMFORT BLANKET OR TOY; THE PURCHASING OF ‘BACKUPS’; THE CLEANING ROUTINES, AND THEN THE QUESTION ARISES – IS ALLOWING OUR CHILDREN TO INDEFINITELY CARRY SECURITY BLANKETS OR TEDDY BEARS AROUND WITH THEM HARMING THEIR DEVELOPMENT?

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That then gives way to even more questions: Is it healthy? How long is too long? Will they ever get over it? The good news is that parents with these fears don’t have to worry too much, with science showing that these objects are tools that children naturally gravitate toward. In fact, research shows that a child’s security blanket or beloved teddy is actually a positive thing, and comes to the fore when a toddler begins to realise that their object of refuge (most often mum) is a separate entity from themselves. Psychoanalysts believe that children start to attach themselves to blankets, teddy bears, and other objects as the first attempt at forming relationships with things besides mum.

Penny Newell, the Nursery Manager at Bumble Bee Nursery (Sharjah) and Honey Bee Nursery (City Walk), explains: “Young children need these items to feel safe, give comfort, and provide emotional security. The blanket/teddy bear gives the child that feeling of warmth, almost like a portable reminder of the comfort and safety of home. These objects often also have a personal aroma and studies have shown that smell is strongly linked to emotional memory.”

“Attachments to specific items are known as ‘transitional objects’”, Monica Valraniis, the CEO of Ladybird Nursery, adds. “It is challenging when a child has to separate for the first time, from their mother and engage in the outside world. These objects allow children to have some consistency and predictability in unknown situations.

“They begin to form attachments to such objects around six months to one year of age. Most children give up their attachments by the age of four to five years themselves, when they see their peers without any objects around them. Depending on your child’s personality it can be very beneficial to introduce a comfort object to provide a sense of security and stability to the child.

Make sure it is small, replaceable, and easy to wash.”

Leanne Bell, the Nursery Manager at Jigsaw Nursery, says: “The important factor here is to look at the role the object is filling for the child and, where the object may be problematic, replacing it with another source of comfort and continuity. Using the example of a child joining nursery, it is very common for the child to put the object away once they have developed a close bond with a carer or teacher.”

It is important to remember that a comfort object is a coping strategy for a child, and children, like adults, have a variety of coping strategies when dealing with unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Most importantly, a child must feel loved, safe, and valued, and have secure attachments with their loved ones. If your child does not have a comfort object, they may not need one.

Monica Valraniis is the CEO of Ladybird Nursery

Leanne Bell is the Nursery Manager at Jigsaw Nursery

Penny Newell is Nursery Manager at Bumble Bee Nursery and Honey Bee Nursery

ADVICE “Bringing a soft toy or blanket to the firsts day of nursery gives your child a sense of security and continuity in an unfamiliar space.

It also works as an anxiety reducing function for them.”

NOUHAD DOUGHAN, Owner and Managing Director at Kids Spot Nursery

22 Excellence In Schools

EXAM EXCITEMENT The new 9-1 grading structure implemented for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I/GCSE) examinations may have meant to make the exams more challenging, but students in the UAE are celebrating great results. In some cases schools have exceeded the UK benchmark by up to 7 per cent.

“Over 5 million GCSEs and International GCSEs are awarded using the 9–1 grading scale worldwide, making it the most used and recognised grading scale for GCSE and International GCSE globally,” says Kathryn Booth, Head of Academic Qualifications for Pearson Middle East.

ADVICE Parents, a growth mindset and grit may matter more to overall success for your child in life than native intelligence. You become more optimistic, take up challenges with ease, and believe that life is beautiful.

SHEELA MENON, Principal at ASPAM Indian International School

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NEW RESULTS STRUCTURE

Repton School Dubai

A* to A = 9 to 7 grades B to C = 6 to 4 grades D to G = 3 to 1 grades

of students achieved 9-8 grades

Aldar Academies I/GCSE exams:

Al Bateen Academy

I/GCSE exams:

31%

51%

of students achieved 9-7 grades

82%

of students achieved 9-5 grades

90%

of students achieved 9-5 grades

Al Ain Academy

89% of students

achieved 9-4 grades

Al Yasmina Academy

88%

NEW CHAPTERS Here are some of the leaders in education taking on new roles across UAE schools this academic year.

DR NEIL HOPKIN

Principal Sumarke School

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Year 13 pupils sat the A-level exams for the first time.

A-level

100% pass rate 63%

MS ALKA YADAV

Head of Primary Global Indian International School

of students achieved 9-7 grades

of students achieved 9-4 grades I/GCSE Al Mamoura Academy

97% pass rate 75%

with of students achieving 9-5 grades

73%

of students achieved 9-7 grades

98%

Brighton College Abu Dhabi

100% pass rate

98% pass rate

40% of students

41% of students

achieved 9-7 grades

68%

MS SHAHIDA IBRAHIM

Head of Primary Hartland International School

IGCSE

achieved 9-8 grades

MR EMMANUEL GAUTHIER

Head of Primary Swiss International Scientific School

66%

of students achieved 9-6 grades

of students achieved 9-7 grades

86% of students

To view the list of universities worldwide that UAE students will be attending, visit www.education-uae.com

achieved 9-4 grades

Vice Principal, Head of Secondary Hartland International School

of students achieved 9-4 grades

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

A-level exams:

MS YASMINE DANNAWY

MS ELISE FURR

Head of Secondary Swiss International Scientific School

24 Excellence In Schools

PLANTING CONFIDENCE THE GHAF TREE IS PLAYING AN ENHANCED ROLE IN 2019, WITH IT BEING THE THEME AND INSPIRATION FOR THE YEAR OF TOLERANCE.

A

school in Abu Dhabi is nurturing their versions of Ghaf trees in a unique way. Michael Wilson, Principal at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, explains: “At Cranleigh, the Ghaf seed is the equivalent of a nursery child. It has all the ingredients needed for growth and it generates roots to go in search of water, which can be a metaphor for developing skills and traits. Similarly, our education is based on identifying what a child is good at and enjoys doing. This is usually where their confidence is and we feel that we can draw on this confidence to develop other skills as the individual matures and grows.”

Rated one of Abu Dhabi’s leading schools, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi may only be in its sixth year, but it brings with it over 150 years of experience delivering a high quality British education through sister schools in the UK. “We also believe that children learn in the classroom, at home, on the sports field, on stage performing, travelling and interacting with others,” Michael says. “So it is our job to provide a multi-faceted educational experience where each child is given opportunities.”

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ADVICE Parents please remember to remain relaxed and happy, your children will feed off your energy.

SUKAIYNA GOKAL, Founder at Garden of Ayden

Number of students Approximately 1,400

Nationality of students 65+ nationalities

Number of teachers Approximately 150

Nationality of teachers Mainly British but also Irish, South African, Jordanian, French, Spanish, Canadian, Kenyan

Curriculum: UK

Earlier this year the school added the title of International School of the Year at the TES Independent School Awards 2019, to their lists of accolades. This award was in recognition for their ambitious arts and crosscurricular project, Water in the Desert: A Zayed Legacy.

Some would say that Michael’s leadership style was instrumental in ensuring this project happened.

“I encourage both teachers and students to be bold and give things a go. I would rather they made mistakes trying to achieve something than played safe. As parents we are often so keen for our children to get things right that we do it for them. I encourage parents and staff to let go in order to allow the children to hit the odd bump and learn how to ride the bump better next time, ” he shares.

Grades Cranleigh Nursery – Year 13

Co-Curricular Activities Approximately 350 last academic year.

Sports, performing arts, visual arts, coding and robotics, baking, language clubs, chess club, Arabic calligraphy

Languages Arabic, French, Spanish and Latin

26 Excellence In Schools

THE EXTRA IS ESSENTIAL IT IS OFTEN EASY TO INTERCHANGE THE WORDS OF EDUCATION AND ACADEMICS. THOUGH THEY BOTH INSPIRE A PICTURE OF AN INTELLIGENT AND WELL-ROUNDED MEMBER OF SOCIETY, THE TWO WORDS ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE. BEING THE GREATER WORD, EDUCATION IS ESSENTIALLY A MIXTURE OF ACADEMIC DISCOURSE COUPLED WITH THE ARTS AND OTHER FUNDAMENTALS OF LIFE SUCH AS SCIENCE, MATHS, SOCIOLOGY, AND PHILOSOPHY.

E

xtracurricular activities are a window into a world of skill, social engagement, empathy, teamwork, compassion, endurance, and perseverance, all of which do not have to distract from academics. We sit down with Fiona Cottam from Hartland International School, who speaks about the power of after school activities.

Fiona Cottam is the principal at Hartland International School in Dubai.

Education is more than just the books and pages: it is about a child’s social and emotional development, their wellbeing and happiness and their sense of achievement.

Extracurricular activities help you find your

spirit and creativity, how to be expressive, and develop a passion for different facets of school life from politics and literature to sport and the arts.

‘Schools are microcosms of life’ We ran a democratic election in our primary school and the skills they learned ranged from political nuanced speech preparation, to how to stand up in front of peers and express their personal views on a range of whole school issues. They learned that even if you weren’t successful in securing the position, you have enhanced your public speaking, demonstrated strength and courage, and developed further their skills in planning and preparation.

27

Alka Yadav, the Head of Primary at Global Indian International School in Dubai, comments: “Co-curricular activities in schools encourage holistic development.

Activities such as music, robotics, web designing, drawing, foreign language learning, playing music, etc, bring out the creative, curious, and critical thinking sides of students.

Moreover, one of the most rewarding things our secondary year students do is their work with Autism Rocks. They’re developing empathy and compassion without even realising it and also a better understanding of human nature. They have witnessed first-hand how we’re all different yet how important a part we all play in society and they better understand the positive differences we can make to our world despite the challenges that individuals face.

‘It’s a window to a different world that don’t have to detract from studies’ As a parent of a 17-year-old boy, there is a greater and natural dependency on technology for young people, which means that social interactions don’t always happen the way they used

to. Therefore, a participation where there is a sense of social engagement is incredibly important for the growth of a young adult.

I can understand why parents don’t want to distract their children from academic study if that is to be the end focus, but the most successful young people and adults are those who take full advantage of the opportunities that the schools of Dubai have to offer and actually participate in something that’s outside of their comfort zone.

A well-rounded education gives young people the opportunity to be successful, to learn and grow, to fail and sometimes hurt, but always the endeavour and the opportunity itself is where the best learning and growth happens.

ADVERTORIAL

FITNESS

Contact

info@fitrepublik.com www.fitrepublik.com +971 4 556 1800 Location The Academies Dubai Sports City Social media @fitrepublik.ae @fitrepublik.ae

Live Life on the Podium What is the one recurring theme that athletes talk about when discussing the benefits of sports? Not medals, money, or fame, but the person they became through their training. It is true that sports teach discipline and resilience, but more importantly, it prepares you to lose and know your limits.

ADVERTORIAL

Alex Nacfur, Head of Martial Arts at FitRepublik, fought through 20 years worth of injuries before finally becoming Jiu Jitsu World Champion in 2019. “What I had developed from the age of nine was the will of a fighter; to confront any challenge, even my own genetics.” Alex spends every day at FitRepublik with junior athletes aged 5-14, sharing his insight and habits of mind with them.

Collaboration Sports also teach mutual respect – bonding through shared endeavour. “Our young students learn to encourage each other. We’re a community here,” says Eloise, proudly. ‘Sports introduces you to life’s real challengers.”

Winning qualities Every coach at FitRepublik focuses on building a junior athletes’ characteristics as much as their sporting skills. Resilience, fortitude, confidence, focus, and teamwork are not just qualities that help you thrive in sports – they help you thrive in life.

“We don’t just teach Martial Arts; we teach discipline, respect, control – on and off the mat,” says Eloise Barber, Head of the Podium at FitRepublik. “We don’t just teach Gymnastics, we teach focus, control and self-awareness. Our young CrossFitters learn to be comfortable outside of their comfort zone. And our swimmers learn to keep going through adversity, to persevere in the face of discomfort, well beyond the pool.”

This quality would have served her well when she missed out on the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, her home country, by 0.1 seconds.

Eloise continues, “My lifelong dream was crushed, but within a few days I had moved on. I’ve had a rewarding life since swimming. But it was swimming that empowered me to get into sports.”

Sarah Mercer, Head of Gymnastics, was told at the age of 16 by her doctor that she would never compete again. “Two years later, I led the Great Britain gymnastics team to the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona. I made the decision that day to never take ‘no’ for an answer.” Like her colleagues, Sarah attributes her mentality to her sport. “Gymnastics had shown me how to make a habit out of motivation and focus. And it’s a pleasure to pass that on.”

“The most important moment of my career was when I lost a game of Jenga … to a blind athlete,” agrees Kevin Paul, Head of Aquatics at FitRepublik. “When he beat me using touch alone, I realised that I, too, could do anything.” Kevin went on to win Paralympic Gold in the pool – before teaching swimming at FitRepublik.

30 Excellence In Schools

WHEN EDUCATORS COME TOGETHER MANY STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PEER AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING IS VERY EFFECTIVE FOR STUDENTS. THE SAME SHOULD BE ASSUMED FOR ADULTS, ESPECIALLY TEACHERS. THE SHARING OF BEST PRACTICE BETWEEN THEM IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR ALL – THE TEACHERS TAKE IN GREAT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM PRACTICES THAT HAVE HELPED THEIR PEERS OBTAIN SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES.

Recently, Mirai, a learning innovation group co-hosted a breakfast for science leaders and school principals from American and Indian curriculum schools in the UAE. They discussed the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with Amplify Science.

Christine Nasserghodsi, the co-founder of Mirai, acknowledges that diversity of thought and experience is essential to innovation so that schools can better their performance and obtain better student outcomes. “We host or co-host quarterly events bringing educators together to share insights and solutions to challenges. Amplify Science is the leading science curriculum in the US and was co-developed with UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. It

leverages a mix of resources, including digital simulations and hands-on activities, to have students figure out compelling, real-world scientific phenomena every day. At the breakfast, attendees participated in an NGSS lesson in which they played the role of medical students called upon to determine the nature of a mystery illness. The breakfast event allowed educators to share top tips for implementing NGSS, while learning from industry experts as well.”

Jeremy Williams, Head of School at Manor Hall International School, is a leading international educator and podcast host on the DisruptED TV network. Deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and connecting students to their purpose

31

ADVICE

Teaching performance increases when there is a continuous conversation revolving around self-reflection, collaboration, and timely and constructive reflection by self and trusted colleagues.

Evo Hannan, a leading innovator in education with over 18 years’ experience and Spark Tank coordinator at Dwight School Dubai, agrees: “Many ideas that are discussed and shared can be implemented by any teacher, which is one of the great benefits of discussing teaching strategies. There are many opportunities that exist and new ways are being introduced weekly.

I’m introducing a new video miniseries called ‘think:ed’ using #thinked, which invites teachers to think about and share ideas on some of education’s hottest topics of discussion.” and passion, he explains: “In any situation, you need to leverage what is particularly advantageous. Being in such a global community here in the UAE, there are people from nearly every continent with unique perspectives and experiences that add such tremendous value to the work I do in my school with my team. Good practice is good practice. Pedagogy is not curriculumspecific. Whether someone is US, IB, UK, or Indian curriculum does not have any bearing on the pedagogy being used within the classroom.”

“Research supports what we all know,” adds Laurence Myers, a K-12 Service Learning coordinator at the American School of Dubai. “And that is that teaching performance increases when there is a continuous conversation revolving around selfreflection, collaboration, and timely and constructive reflection by self and trusted colleagues. When teaching performance goes up, students benefit!

Especially in my field (service learning and sustainability education), it’s important to support each other as it

Parents, have conversations with your children each day regarding relevant learning activities in the classroom and celebrate their achievements at home.

TIFFANY BROOKS, Principal at American International School

is an ‘up and coming’ field in the UAE and needs deeper support of teachers.

I’ve had conversations with fellow educators on how to infuse authentic learning experiences while developing deep learning for students. At the moment the opportunities within the field of service learning are limited.

Often schools have just one person focusing on it and often the experience and opportunities to collaborate are practically non-existent. To address this we’ve begun a small professional collaborative group - currently referred to as International School Service Learning Educator Network.”

Finally, Jaya Bhavnani, executive director at Dwight Global Online School, comments: “Students from our global campuses have the opportunity to take course(s) from our online school. Combining realtime video conferencing seminars and Oxford-style tutorials with Dwight Global teachers, the online programme creates a close-knit and diverse community, and ignites the spark of genius in every student.”

Good practice is good practice.

Pedagogy is not curriculum-specific.

32 Excellence in Schools

33

A HOME FOR AN ACADEMIC AN INVITING LEARNING SPACE IS FUNDAMENTAL TO A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT. WE KNOW WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT SCHOOL, BUT WE OFTEN FORGET THERE IS MORE WE CAN DO TO OUR HOME ENVIRONMENT TO SUPPORT THEM. Aby Fishbourne, Principal at Aldar Academies The Pearl Academy, explains: “Make sure learning at home is different from the formal education of the classroom by finding exciting things to do together: shared reading, research, food or card games, trips and visits, high quality film, theatre, singing, music, spoken words and events, but, above all, talking about learning. Offer support, but not pressure, and encourage children to be the best they can be.

Develop resilience and a ‘have a go’ attitude.

SHOWCASE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL Kephren Sherry, Head of Primary at Arcadia Preparatory School, agrees that the relationship between parents and the school is crucial in a child’s development, commenting: “By taking time to talk to the child’s teacher, parents can stay aware of the school’s study expectations and what they are learning in school, which can be reinforced through day trips to places that are linked to the subjects; for example, a museum or a science learning hub.”

AN ENTICING HOME ENVIRONMENT Another sure way to generate interest in study topics is through themed birthday parties around a school project, such as gathering all your children and having them build a volcanic explosion.

Other times your best bet is a well-lit desk and some quiet space. “Schedule a regular study time; students like routines, becoming more organised and efficient,” James Lynch, Principal of Ambassador International Academy, suggests. “Keep distractions to a minimum, too. This means no TV, loud music, or mobile phones. Be a motivator and be supportive. Ask about assignments, give encouragement, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.

Develop the child’s mindset. It’s a good idea to study this concept and apply its principles.”

34 Excellence in Schools

Janecke Aarnaes, Head of School at Dwight School Dubai agrees, saying that most young students thrive when working independently in a space and knowing that they have someone to ask help from. If students work at home, the same applies. “Working with school assignments (or homework) late in the evening is not recommended, as the ability to focus will be disrupted by fatigue. Routines, in general (set by the family in relation to what works for them) is something that most children prefer, whether they are conscious of it or not.”

A STUDENT’S LIFESTYLE Suzanne Sumner, Principal at Aldar Academies Al Forsan Nursery, points out how important sleep is, which may seem obvious, but is often overlooked. “In order for children to be at their healthiest and in prime stance for learning, pre-schoolers typically need around 10-13 hours of sleep each night.

Bedtime routines are paramount for preparing children for a day of active learning, discovery, and play at nursery.

The time they go to bed and the amount of sleep a child has directly impacts on their experience of early learning.

OUR SUGESTIONS Finally, Aida Nemer Saadeh, Principal at Arabic Horizon Private School in Abu Dhabi, lists a number of effective ways that could be the stimulus your child needs to tackle math or science problems.  Keep a home library filled with different genres; a surrounding that invites the use of imagination and expansion of the mind to understand varying concepts.  Apply 21st century skills for students: teach them how you research credible websites, academic journals, audio or visual encyclopedias, to back up your arguments with facts.

Once familiar with the process, they will become self-reliant and self-taught.  Help them understand what critical thinking and problem-solving mean by showing them movies about the aviation or surgical industry. Not only will they get a glimpse into a potential career option, but they will also understand how these professionals make decisions and tackle issues.

35

THE ACADEMIC ELITE THIS YEAR’S RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) EXAMS SHOW THAT UAE STUDENTS HAVE ONCE AGAIN PERFORMED WELL ABOVE THE GLOBAL AVERAGE (29 POINTS).

“I really loved IB’s uniquely broad approach,” Finley comments on his thinking behind choosing the curriculum. “I enjoy both English and the sciences, an otherwise incompatible combination to study unless I did IB as per university requirements.”

So where does Finley go from here? “I’m not quite sure what could surpass this, but I’m off to Oxford University in October to study medicine. Eventually, I’d love to be a surgeon, but that is still quite a long way off.”

HARD WORK, POWER NAPS, AND HEAVY METAL Keith Nicholas Gironella, now a graduate of Aldar Academies Al Bateen Academy, is in the top seventh percentile in the world with a score of 41 points, saying: “Taking the IB programme was a leap out of my comfort zone. IB helped me learn to multitask. “However, I ensured that I was also just a normal kid who relaxes and plays PS4 or Nintendo Switch. I did my work at school, came home and relaxed, and then it was back to solving maths problems while listening to metal music until I dozed off. Oh, and I catch my power naps in the car and during my breaks all the time.”

Finley Bettsworth is a graduate of Jumeirah English Speaking School.

The IB Organization report that 7.2% out of the approximately 170,000 students globally who sat the exam this May have scored 40 points or more. Moreover, students scoring the highest possible 45 points, which

Keith Nicholas Gironella is a graduate of Aldar Academies Al Bateen Academy.

is annually achieved by about 200 students in the entire world, are placed in the top one percentile, with Finley Bettsworth from Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) being part of the elite.

ADVICE READ, READ, READ everyday! Reading helps you in all subject areas and helps you in life! So my biggest advice is to read everyday!

ANDY LYONS, Director at Ignite School

Keith, will shortly be heading off to either Manchester University or the University of Waterloo.

Around 2,000 students in the Emirates have achieved an average of 32 points, compared to the global score of 29 points.

36 Excellence in Schools

BENEFITTING FROM WORK EXPERIENCE

AS STUDENTS GET BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, THERE IS A NEED FOR THEM TO START THINKING ABOUT THE BOARDROOM AND BEYOND. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN INTERNSHIPS WERE A BONUS TO HAVE, BUT NOW WITH CHANGES TO CURRICULUMS IT HAS BECOME MANDATORY FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE WORK EXPERIENCE BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.

37

WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO CONSIDER? SOME STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS LEADS ON WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS Adam Woolhouse is a Year 10 student at Aldar Academies Al Bateen Academy.

“I worked with Etihad Airways for five days. I had an amazing experience shadowing the cabin crew on the first day, where I observed them complete their emergency/ CPR training in Etihad’s mock cabins. The instructor invited me to participate in the training, giving me the chance to experience the full motion cabin simulator while watching the highly trained crew practise their in-flight procedures.

On day two I was able to shadow two pilots as they did simulator training in a state-of-the-art Boeing 787 simulator.”

His advice: Start work experience as soon as possible.

“Find work that you know you will love or that may benefit you in the future, and even if you don’t find a place you love, still make the most of it because you are guaranteed to learn new skills and knowledge.”

THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER Mariam Almallah is a Year 13 student at Brighton College Abu Dhabi.

“I was given the opportunity to write my very own article published in both the newspaper and online.

This allowed me to see the ins and outs of how an article is carried through various departments of the newspaper.

Writing my own story showed me that we are all surrounded by news that needs to be told, and how journalists have a unique flair that allows them to detect a story and write it up in a way that is not only educational, but entertaining ... which can sometimes be a tricky task.”

Her advice: “What is most important when undertaking work experience is making sure that you enjoy what you are doing and the atmosphere is positive.”

CLEVELAND CLINIC ABU DHABI AND ARDENT ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTING LLC Olutimilehin ‘Timi’ Adekeye is a Year 12 student at Brighton College Abu Dhabi.

“In 2018, I did a summer internship at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Working at such a reputable organisation gave me the opportunity to refine my teamwork skills through collaboration with other interns and gain an understanding of how large businesses function. The transferrable skills I acquired from this programme will help me to become a valuable member of a company’s workforce.

I have also done a work placement at Ardent Advisory and Accounting LLC. This company gave me comprehensive knowledge of pressing topics in the business world, ranging from corporate governance to stock exchange policies in different regions across the globe.”

His advice: “Fostering relationships with faculty (particularly through LinkedIn) may increase the likelihood of students finding internships after they graduate.”

Bhavika Lilani, who is a Year 3 student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai says that this programme would have given her a good start to a career had it been in place when she was in school. “I would have gained insight in selecting a programme of my interest in a university too. Moreover, I would be highly motivated in studying the course chosen and in getting more work experience if I had gotten exposure to the industry.”

38 Excellence in Schools

BE A MAKER

ADVICE Make a point to reconnect with friends once school starts but don›t be afraid to branch out and meet new friends that are different from you.

DR STEPHANIE CHATTMAN, Principal at Universal American School

NEW PROGRAMMES BEING RUN IN TWO SCHOOLS IN THE UAE ARE PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THEIR LEARNING WITH NEW AND INNOVATIVE SUBJECTS AND ENVIRONMENTS.

A

bu-Dhabi-based Mayoor Private School, a CBSE school, has become the first in the nation’s capital to incorporate Maker Learning into its curriculum.

Maker Learning is a powerful pedagogy and practice that empowers young learners to be creative and critical thinkers, own their learning, and to really explore engineering. In the past academic year, Grade 7 student Selvanayagam made an innovative Kit-Kat vending machine during his Tinkering Studio class using cardboard construction.

Over at Horizon English School in Dubai, the STEAM curriculum is allowing young learners to build and develop their skills in problem solving, collaboration, communication,

and emotional intelligence, with head teacher Ian Wallace explaining: “In order to really excel, the opportunity to apply these skills to a real life context that benefits others positively, will enable real mastery in these transferable skills. This is important, as in today’s society children should be able to differentiate and understand how they can be successful, not just for personal gain but for the benefit of others also. The new STEAM facility will be led by a variety of subject specialists, overseen by the school’s deputy headteachers, who have driven the creation and design of the new curriculum offering and overseen curriculum mapping. Through the new STEAM approach, students will gain a unique understanding and a shift in mindset into evaluating their own personal contribution to society.”

39

Excellence In Higher Education

NEW DEGREE CATERING TO INCREASED DEMAND IN DIGITAL MEDIA LAUNCHED Amidst an increased demand for qualified graduates in the media sector, The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is launching a new Bachelor of Communication and Media Degree this September.

The new degree will cater to the growing demand for skilled working professionals in the digital media and communications sector. The degree will help form careers for game designers, graphic designers, digital animators, social media content producers, and more.

Professor Mohamed Salem, UOWD President, says: “As the world shifts away from more traditional media offerings towards a new digital landscape, it is important that we introduce new and innovative programmes that support the needs of the region. This new degree will build on Dubai’s ambition to becoming an internationally recognised hub of media excellence and will attract international students to further their higher education ambitions in Dubai.”

SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTING MENTAL HEALTH A team of students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has conducted a wide-ranging study into the impact of social media usage on youth in the region.

As part of the Bachelor of Communications course on Media Impact, the research explored the nature and extent of social media usage among young people, revealing that the Arab world has a very high rate of social media engagement, with the UAE ranked third for social media penetration in the GCC.

CUD ALUMNI EXCELLENCE Rahul Binyani, a graduate of Bachelor of Architecture from Canadian University Dubai (CUD), secured a position at Expo 2020 in the design and build team of visitor facilities.

100%

of students report being bullied online at least once

69.7%

of students in the UAE use social media for five or more hours everyday

56%

of which admitted to attempting to quit social media in the past 12 months but failed to do so

After a 9-month training programme, he progressed to become Assistant Manager of Overlay – the team responsible for the design and build of all the temporary facilities that will be required by visitors at the event.

“I’ve come to understand that architecture has a lot to do with salesmanship and project management,” Rahul says. “What we’re trying to do is build a legacy with facilities that can adapt for any event. The Expo site is 65 football fields large. So while the overlay facilities will be temporary, we are working towards the legacy project, District 2020, which will establish the site as an important business, leisure, and lifestyle destination of the future.”

Rahul will be pursuing his Masters in Construction Management Project at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai.

ADVERTORIAL

The Nation’s Health A visit to a dairy farm can be an unforgettable experience for children, a fun and educational way to see dairy cows up close and connect with the farmers who produce the nutritious dairy products that the entire family enjoys.

H E A LT H

Contact

farmtour@alrawabi.ae www.alrawabidairy.com +971 4 704 3000  +971 56 548 3999 Location Al Rawabi Dairy Co. L.L.C. Al Khawaneej Social media @AlRawabiDairyUAE @alrawabiuae @AlRawabi_Dairy @Al Rawabi Dairy Company

The Nation’s Health

There is nowhere better to do this than Al Rawabi Dairy Company which, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, offers a wide range of wholesome products, including milk, laban, and 17 varieties of juice.

Home to 15,000 cows, Al Rawabi produces 350,000 litres of fresh milk and 200,000 litres of juice products every single day. Moreover, it is the only dairy company in the UAE to have an automated cooling system protecting herds from the heat.

On the tour, students see where the calves are taken care of and observe the adult cows during their fully automated milking session. Students are also educated on how the fresh milk is homogenised and pasteurised, as well as discovering how it is processed into different variants and

bottles. A small session at the end of the tour discusses the benefits of low fat and low sugar milk.

Youngsters are more inclined to make healthy choices when they visit Al Rawabi Dairy Company, particularly when they know the milk is coming fresh from the cows. These choices include Nutree Boost, a Laban enriched with Oats & fruits, vitamins, and minerals that is low in sugar and fat, and comes in five different flavors - Strawberry, Vanilla, Orange, Mango, and Peach, Green Tea

& Oats. Meanwhile, another increasingly popular product, Super Milk is the nation’s first multivitamin-enriched and Vitamin D milk, which helps fight the ongoing Vitamin D deficiency in the UAE. All products are available at major supermarkets across the UAE. In 2018, Al Rawabi welcomed 12,000 school students on weekdays and 32,000 families on weekends to tour the farm.

Get in contact with Al Rawabi Dairy Company to find out more about the educational farm tour.

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KHDA

NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DUBAI UNIVERSITIES A new Higher Education Classification is all set to benefit students looking to study in Dubai’s international university and college branch campuses. The first-ever classification by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will place universities on a one to five-star-plus scale, making it easier for students to choose a university based on their areas of interest.

Providing an overview of higher education institutions in Dubai, students can now identify which universities are the best in specific areas like teaching, employability, research, facilities, and programme strength, among other indicators.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of KHDA said: “The last 10 years have seen student enrolment more than double, from 12,000 students in 2008 to over 30,000 students today. As the sector continues to grow, so does the need for a transparent and robust framework that will enable institutions to showcase their strengths and provide the public with helpful, relevant data to inform higher education decisionmaking. The classification represents a new milestone and symbolises a maturity in Dubai’s higher education sector.”

According to the first-ever ratings, three institutions achieved five-star rating, eight institutions achieved fourstar rating, three institutions received three-star rating, two achieved two-star rating, and one received a one-star-rating.

12,000 university students in 2008 Over

30,000 university students in 2019

Of the universities that underwent the first series of inspections by KHDA, Murdoch University in Dubai stands high with a 3-star rating. Dr James M. Trotter, Dean and Academic President, says, “While Murdoch received a 3-star rating overall, which is a good outcome, we were rated as 4-stars for teaching.

We were also highly rated in student wellbeing (4-stars) and facilities (5-stars), aspects that are most directly related to the quality of a student’s experience and education received. We are proud to have multiple pathways (Foundation, Diplomas) that make a university education possible to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity.”

It’s your time.

American University of Sharjah will help you make your mark on the world.

International opportunities including study abroad programs, study tours, community service trips and global sporting events Full-service campus with a wide range of sports facilities, labs and student activities Comprehensive range of merit-and need-based grants and scholarships available for all AUS students, including incoming first-year students More than 360 full-time, highly qualified faculty from the world’s top educational institutions

AUS graduates occupy leading roles in government, business and industry across the globe, and are represented in master’s and PhD programs at some of the world’s top universities, including MIT, Yale University, Harvard University, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

www.aus.edu

ADVERTORIAL

Helping to Shape Modern Society For high school students who have an interest in understanding a wide array of economic and financial issues, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (BAE) could be a great choice for their future university studies. Paul Samuelson, the first noble laureate in economics in 1970, and William Nordhaus, define economics in the 1998 edition of their wellknown book as follows: “Economics is the study of how societies use scarce resources to produce valuable commodities and distribute them among different people.”

UNIVERSITY Contact economics@aus.edu www.aus.edu +971 6 515 1000 Location University City Sharjah Social media @ausharjah @ausharjah @AUSharjah AUS Sharjah American University of Sharjah

According to Dr Mohsen Saad, Associate Dean of American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) School of Business Administration, the BAE degree is well suited to students who like numbers and data, but who also want to understand the forces that shape modern societies: “By studying economic theories and concepts coupled with data driven application of the real world, students come to understand the complex nature of trade-offs that individuals, firms and governments confront due to limited resources.”

The BAE degree at AUS prepares students for diverse roles in government, banks, policy institutes and non-government organisations, among others, and graduates are also qualified to enter advanced degrees in

economics, or related fields.

It also prepares graduates to embark on graduate programmes in finance, economics, public policy, and other areas. Past graduates have been accepted into prestigious programmes at premier universities that include Columbia University, London Business School, Oxford University, and University of Calgary.

“Economists will continue to play an important role as the UAE economy increasingly becomes more globally-orientated and diversified. Economists help to advise government policy makers and industry leaders, as they make decisions that impact all of us, both in the immediate period and in the long-term,” Dr Saad says.

44 Excellence In Higher Education

toleranz

LUGHA LA LANGUE LANGUAGE

tolerancija

THE ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY APPARENT AS THE WORLD BECOMES MORE GLOBALISED. WE SPEAK ABOUT THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING A SECOND OR THIRD LANGUAGE WITH DR ROBERT KILROY FROM SORBONNE UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI.

tolleranza tolerância

Dr Robert Kilroy is an English lecturer in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages as well as History of Art and Museum Studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SAUD).

His work focuses on the overlap between languages, art, psychoanalysis, and philosophy.

Education UAE: What are the cognitive and emotional benefits of multilingualism?

Dr Kilroy: The French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan once said that “the unconscious is structured like a language.” In other words, we see ourselves and the world around us through a linguistic lens. The basic principles of translation support this theory. In English, when we say “I looked through the window at the garden” we are presenting the facts chronologically because we perceive events as unfolding over time. A French speaker, however, might emphasize the result of the action over the process: “J’ai regardé le jardin par la fenêtre (I looked at the garden through the window)”. This suggests a more ‘logical’ perception of the world. Learning a new language can, in this very real sense, change the way we think. It is a type of re-cognition

that increases emotional recognition: by understanding what it means to see the world differently we acquire a heightened sense of empathy.

Education UAE: What is the correlation between learning a new language and understanding or empathising with its culture?

Dr Kilroy: Language learning reminds us that the essence of communication is not the message, but the act. All communication requires a certain leap of faith: we must trust that another speaker knows what we mean when we say certain words. This trust establishes an important social bond, a feeling of mutual recognition that develops into a shared set of values and beliefs.

Thus, by facilitating communication, a new language reveals the internal architecture of a given culture.

45

tolerance

‫تفاوت‬

tolérance

46 Excellence In Higher Education

While beliefs may differ, the capacity to believe is human.

Education UAE: Why is it important for people to understand and empathise with other cultures?

Dr Kilroy: Unfortunately, it is easier to keep a distance from what we do not understand. For respect and tolerance to prevail over antagonism and division, active intellectual engagement with other cultures is essential. Only empathy can replace walls with bridges.

Education UAE: What changes with this understanding?

Dr Kilroy: A shift in perception occurs: what appeared foreign becomes familiar. We adapt our ways of seeing in line with what disrupts our ways of thinking.

In doing so we realise that, while beliefs may differ, the capacity to believe is human.

Education UAE: Why is foreign language study important at the university level?

Dr Kilroy: University students have a naturally higher level of intellectual maturity and curiosity. What they require are methods for assimilating and applying new knowledge. Foreign language study does not just provide linguistic tools; it equips students with the analytical mindset necessary to effect social change.

Education UAE: What are the career opportunities for a linguist?

Dr Kilroy: With a second language, barriers fall and opportunities appear. In uncertain times, skilled communicators – teachers, diplomats, and interpreters – are a valued commodity. For a linguist, the globe becomes a garden. And now more than ever, the world needs gardeners.

Education UAE: Tell us about the French academic system at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.What is the biggest difference between this system and all others in the UAE? Dr Kilroy: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) offers ECTS accredited, fully transferable LMD diplomas (Licence/Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) that are identical to those offered in Paris.

No other university in the UAE applies the same standards of accreditation.

tolerancia

सहनशीलता

All communication requires a certain leap of faith: we must trust that another speaker knows what we mean when we say certain words. This trust establishes an important social bond Catherine O’Farrell, Group Head for Athena Group in Dubai and Director of Phase 2 for the Dubai Inclusion Network, also weighs in, saying, “In any given classroom in the UAE, a student from Pakistan could be sitting next to a student from the UK, across from a student from Russia and in front of a student from the Philippines. This is reflective of our increasingly globalised world and means that understanding of multiple ways of looking at things is not only desired, but required in our classrooms and in life.”

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48 Excellence In Higher Education

IS CODING TAKING OVER EVERY SECTOR? WELL, IS IT? THE ANSWER ACCORDING TO JOSEPH STEVENS, THE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR AT THE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT AT MURDOCH UNIVERSITY DUBAI, IS YES AND NO.

ADVICE Switching to a new school is an opportunity for a fresh start; to reinvent yourself, to enjoy new activities, and to make additional friends, not replace older ones.

SUKAIYNA GOKAL, Parent, Founder at Garden of Ayden

49

If you work in the IT industry, absolutely, but if you are selling life insurance, probably not.

He does think however, that coding is influencing the way we are programmed. “What is universally important, and is directly linked to coding, is thinking logically to solve problems and learning how computers use algorithms to arrive at answers,” he states.

“As computing becomes ubiquitously integrated into our daily lives, being able to understand how computers ‘think’ and arrive at solutions is very important. A simple example of solving a problem using coding logic without actually coding is being able to know how to search for articles or posts in a certain date range. For instance, when you want to quickly find an email with a particular attachment that your colleague sent last week by searching with the date and name as parameters.”

Broad Opportunities For a lot of us, the word ‘coding’ sparks a vision of a hacker in an action-packed movie typing away in a highly classified tech room, seconds away from being discovered by the authorities.

Joseph helps to explain why coding is so much more, and what are the benefits of learning this language.

Aside from companies in the technology sector, there are an increasing number of businesses relying on coding, so a software engineer could

find himself working not only in leading tech companies, but also in sectors such as health, transport, and manufacturing.

However, Stevens says: “Although research has shown that half of all coding jobs are in industries outside of technology, this fact is misstated. IT is broad and everywhere, so if you are working with IT then you are also a part of this growing industry.”

Certainly, coding has become a core skill that strengthens an applicant’s chances of commanding a high salary, and for students who are looking to increase their potential income few other skills open the door to so many well-paid careers.

Twist, Link, Split, and Merge Computers are not clever things, however they are very obedient.

They will do exactly what you want them to do, so long as you tell them how to do it correctly.

And in a world increasingly run by software, we need people who can code accurately, whilst realising that writing code is also about expression and creativity, not just practical application. That is why children should learn to twist, link, split, and merge code in a way that it wasn’t designed to be. An entire generation of young people will use code like previous generations used words.

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52 52 Know It All

AUGMENTED REALITY SEE THE UNSEEN AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) CAN ESSENTIALLY BE INTEGRATED INTO ANY CURRICULUM AREA. WHETHER VIEWING GEOGRAPHICAL MODELS OR COMPLEX MOLECULES, AR CAN ALLOW STUDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH LEARNING CONTENT IN A WAY THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH TRADITIONAL FORMS OF MEDIA. There are a variety of skills that students and teachers can develop from this integration. These, of course, are dependent on the pedagogy being used to harness the AR content. I often stress that AR in classrooms needs to be ‘more than a model’.

Steve Bambury is a freelance consultant working with schools to help them integrate technology in classrooms. Having worked at JESS Dubai as Head of Digital Learning and Innovation for 11 years, he is also an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Microsoft Master Trainer.

For instance, AR is great for learning about 3D shapes in maths, as it allows students to interact with a wide range of virtual polygons and manipulate them freely. In science, the possibilities are even greater. Not only can scientific objects and apparatus be brought into the classroom, but entire experiments can be carried out virtually. The Froggipedia app is a great example of this, allowing students to virtually dissect a frog with no mess and the freedom to repeat steps without needing a new specimen. Am I suggesting that this should

completely replace a true dissection? No. But why not let students develop their skills before trying the real thing (an activity they will likely only get a single opportunity to engage with).

If schools are interested in learning more about AR in education, a great place to start is my website (www.virtualiteach. com), where I freely share lots of resources about immersive technology for learning.

Check out Froggipedia to learn how to dissect a frog from different angles!

Available only on Apple Store.

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Do you have any tips for Renaissance customers?

LEARNING

Contact

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www.renaissance.com +44 20 7184 4000 Location 189 Marsh Wall, London, United Kingdom Social media @renaissance.int @RenLearn_int

How do you start to create a learning plan for students?

At Sunmarke School, we have a diverse range of students, with around 50% being English language learners.

The challenge was to create a literacy development programme to help guide these students and improve their English. The Star Reading assessment test is important in understanding the precise level for each student. Once we know their initial score and reading range, we can create the learning plan coupled with Accelerated Reader, to improve reading practice.

How have students taken to Accelerated Reader?

We found that students are much more engaged in the library with Accelerated Reader. We have seen

substantial growth, with some students having made a year’s worth of progress in just a few months. Once students have done one or two quizzes, you’ll see a growth in independence as they continue to use the programme.

What is the primary objective of Renaissance?

Renaissance creates assessment and practice solutions that put learning analytics to work for educators, saving hours of prep time, while making truly personalised learning possible. Schools use the company’s solutions to analyse students’ abilities and guide high-quality instruction. Put simply, Renaissance helps teachers to teach better, students to learn better, and school administrators to lead

My advice for teachers would be to get involved and encourage the project from the beginning! Don’t restrict children from reading, but instead try and encourage them to read suitably challenging books from within their recommended reading ranges. Also, try and regularly look at the Diagnostic Report and see which students haven’t taken their quizzes. You may find that some children are nervous to start with, but once they have done one or two quizzes, you’ll see a growth in independence as they continue to use the programme.

54 Know It All | My Journey

MY JOURNEY FROM DANCER TO PERFORMER TO MENTOR Dance is art in motion, where stories are told without the use of any words. Kathak, which in Sanskrit translates to ‘storyteller’, is one of the oldest genres of dance rooted in ancient India.

55

W

e sit down with an internationally acclaimed storyteller: a Kathak dancer, Guru (mentor), choreographer, educationist, and the artistic director of Gurukul Dubai, Bangalore, and Switzerland, Pali Chandra. Here we learn more about her journey from a child who only wanted to dance for herself, to a professional who now has an audience of over 200,000 globally.

Why don’t you start by telling us about your journey as a dancer?

We lived in Lucknow* and my parents were very culturally motivated. My mother used to encourage me to sing.

But I was always more interested in the drama part of the song – the dance element of it. My dad saw something in all of this and took me to an institute to learn. After my training began as a performer, I realised the audience expected more from me. I wanted to perform to be happy, not to be a professional. Gradually, this demand increased. I was told ‘you have taken the Lucknow culture, the society, the tradition, the history, into your dance. The Lucknow community wants it back from you’. That is how I finally participated in competitions and emerged the winner with little effort. I thought, this was destiny, talent, and good training by my gurus.

I started responding to my audiences, and the path was sorted out for me.

*Lucknow is a city in North India.

Get organised! Use folders and binders for every subject right from the beginning. Get a planner so you can write down reminders, deadlines, and important dates. You are more inclined to remember when you write things down.

What kind of training did you undergo?

At first I began with the Guru Shishya Parampara*. It was a student-teacher relationship, with more of a one-on-one training. It was only after my school graduation that I thought now it’s time to be with people. Now it’s time for social sciences and the community, that’s when the group training began.

ANDY LYONS, Director at Ignite School

*Guru Shishya Parampara is the teacher-

ADVICE

disciple lineage, where a student learns directly from a guru in an individualistic way.

56 Know It All | My Journey

At what point did you classify yourself as a professional dancer?

At the age of around 21, when I started my Masters in Anthropology, it was difficult for me to juggle effectively between dance training, performing, and studies. After a couple of good tours and festivals, I was getting honoured for my skill and receiving appreciation in the form of monetary results which was very alluring. That was the turning point. Instead of me doing it for fun, it suddenly became more serious because I was paid for the job.

What took you to teaching?

I was at a point in my life where if I didn’t dance I wouldn’t be happy and wouldn’t survive. That’s how intensely I felt, because my passion was my profession, so I thought, ‘Why not make a dance syllabus that is adaptable and user-friendly in other parts of the world?’. I was living in England at the time, so I began working with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), which is one of the oldest dancing

boards in the world. And gradually the syllabus for Kathak came to be, exams were conducted, we had a structured way of understanding the art form.

How has dance evolved through the years?

Earlier only the aesthetics of dance was celebrated, and it was being used for religious reasons. Now dance is being used as a physical and social activity.

Dance used to be a luxury only for the privileged, now look at dance – it’s everywhere and technology has had a great influence on this. YouTube has also helped to bring the teaching of Kathak to a wider audience. We started ‘Learn Kathak Online’ as a resource for a limited few, who didn’t have access to teachers and it has just taken off.

What’s next for you?

I am trying to create platforms with international Kathak festivals in different parts of the world. If you train someone, you should give them the platform to perform as well. We’re organising the first international Kathak festival in Switzerland, Bangalore, and London.

We’ve done one in Dubai as well. I’m also writing a book for Kathak to establish a solid package for those who have learnt dance and want to step into performing arts as a Kathak dancer.

I thought, if I can win competitions without really wanting to win it, then I should value what I have.

And if I don’t, nobody is irreplaceable, soon people will forget.

That’s when I said to myself, ‘pull yourself together and take what you have been offered’.

Know It All | Our World 57

IT’S OUR WORLD, TAKE CARE OF IT Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) has numerous campaigns throughout the year. These cover all sectors of the community, be it families, students, schools, or corporate entities, and are inclusive, interactive, educational, meaningful, and rewarding.

Neighborhood Recycling Project EEG’s Neighborhood Recycling Project is running full speed, having welcomed over 120 students for its ninth edition. This yearly project requires young people to develop flyers and distribute them within a chosen period of time to their neighbours, encouraging them to meet targets for recyclable materials. When the minimum targets are met, the students will plant a tree under their own name at an EEG tree planting ceremony.

Recycle. Reforest. Repeat.

As an accredited organisation to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), EEG’s annual paper recycling project ‘Recycle. Reforest. Repeat’ returned to honour the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. For the fourth successive year, EEG invited different segments of society to participate in recycling practices and encouraged them to help combat desertification.

Within January to July 2019, students have submitted 8485kg of paper, 91kg of Aluminum cans, 75 pieces of toners, and 389kg of plastic.

The project took place from June 19 – July 19, with participants from all seven emirates.

Students, schools, government entities, and the private sector have all contributed to: Collecting 152,698kg of paper Saved 482m3 of landfill space

Mitigated 590 metric tons of CO2

Prevented 2,590 trees from being cut

Conserved 3,427 million BTU (British Thermal Unit) of energy

58 58 The Lounge

MAGRUDY’S TOP FOUR A HEARTWARMING QUOTE SAYS, “BLESSED ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE BOOKWORM FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE BOOKS.” WITHOUT FURTHER ADO PARENTS, HERE ARE THE TOP THREE BOOKS ON THE MAGRUDY’S BESTSELLER LIST FOR CHILDREN, AND WE’VE THROWN ONE IN FOR YOU TOO. CHILDREN (AGES 4-10)

‘THE WORLD’S WORST TEACHERS’

by David Walliams This really is Walliams at his most indulgently gross 82 and silly, with stunning illustrations that capture the energy and chaos of Dr Dread, a teacher who is half man, half monster, Miss Seethe, who’s on a detention rampage, and Mr Phobe, who fears children.

AED

‘EVIE AND THE ANIMALS’

by Matt Haig

‘WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT’

by Michael Rosen

Have you ever wondered what it would be like 69 to talk to animals? Tenyear-old Evie not only talks to them, but also hears their thoughts. When the pets on her street start mysteriously disappearing, it is up to Evie to find them, even if it means standing up against the villain with a talent of their own.

We’re going on a bear hunt.

We’re going to catch a big 44 one. Will you come too?

Follow and join in the family’s excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river, and squelch through the mud in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest!

AED

AED

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ADULT ‘SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS: THE FOUR TYPES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR (OR, HOW TO UNDERSTAND THOSE WHO CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD)’

by Thomas Erikson Do you ever think you’re the only one making any sense?

55 Or tried to reason with your partner with disastrous results?

Do long, rambling answers drive you crazy? Or does your colleague’s abrasive manner get your back up? You are not alone. After a disastrous meeting with a highly successful entrepreneur, who was genuinely convinced he was `surrounded by idiots’, communication expert and bestselling author, Thomas Erikson dedicated himself to understanding how people function and why we often struggle to connect with certain types of people.

AED

ADVICE Realise that your teachers are there to help you so don›t be afraid to ask for it.

DR STEPHANIE CHATTMAN, Principal at Universal American School

READERS UNITE Have a read through our editor’s latest choice book and his take on it.

‘WEST’

by Carys Davies Deeply engaging and wonderfully written, 63 Carys Davies’ short debut novel, West, is a tiny masterpiece. The story follows a European settler in early 19th century America who is searching for the dinosaurs he is convinced may still be wandering around in the uncharted territories of the west. It tackles gargantuan themes, such as extinction, colonialism, heartache, love, and isolation - with a profound sense of humour and a gentle touch.

AED

Share your thoughts with us at educationuae@tpg.media or recommend a book for our editor to review next.

The Lounge 61

CONTINENTAL TIRES LAUNCH ‘BACK TO SCHOOL’ Continental Tires has launched a ‘Back to School’ initiative as part of its ongoing endeavour to raise safety awareness amongst parents and drivers.

In the first week of the school year, the German tyre manufacturer checked over 240 tyres at Emarat Petrol Station and shared safety tips with the drivers to help increase road safety.

To boost the enthusiasm of the drivers of the future at the start of the school year, Continental gifted over 160 kits to students, including a backpack, baseball cap and a fun safety booklet.

This initiative comes on the back of Continental’s Vision Zero initiative – zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents.

CHILD-FRIENDLY SHARJAH Sharjah has recently celebrated its first anniversary after being named a ChildFriendly City by UNICEF in 2018.

The emirate was awarded the title in recognition of its outstanding efforts and accomplishments in the protection and promotion of children’s rights. It was the first city in the Middle East to receive the prestigious title, and the first in the world to win the title after successfully meeting the new international requirements and criteria launched by UNICEF’s global Child-Friendly Cities initiative.

Saly Al Shamsi, a Grade 7 student at Victoria International School, commented: “I have lived in Sharjah

for about seven years, and I really love where I live. It feels like I belong here even though I’m from another country.

Sharjah feels like it’s my home.”

A fellow student at Victoria International School, Edie Corbett of Grade 6, was of the same mind, saying: “Sharjah is the most welcoming, kind, and diverse environment I’ve ever lived in. Living here has always been enjoyable, easy, and extremely fun.”

“Sharjah has always felt childfriendly, because unlike Dubai there are very small communities and each of those communities have parks,” concludes Shilpa Patel, a long-time resident of Sharjah and mother of two university going students.

COMMIT TO BE FIT Fitbit Ace 2, a kids’ fitness tracker that includes heart rate monitoring, has been launched to help parents and their children understand how physical activity impacts overall wellbeing and health.

Priced at just AED298, Fitbit Ace 2 tracks both physical activity and sleep, and is water resistant to a depth of 50 metres, meaning youngsters can use it in the shower and swimming pool!

62 The Lounge

The Lounge 63

Ready for School?

THE POWER IN YOUR SPICE RACK

Checklist

Have you ever been told about the power of spices? Well, we are here to share just the benefits of just one – cayenne pepper.

Here are the essentials your child will need for a happy school day.

For our toddlers    

Lunch box Spare clothes Water bottle Naptime blanket

 Nappies  Small sized backpack

For our school students

Known as ‘the king of herbs’, cayenne pepper has been prized for millennia for its healing powers, with renowned herbal healer Dr Richard Shulze explaining: “If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.”

It will perhaps come as no surprise, therefore, to discover that cayenne pepper is amongst the primary foods of the Hunzas in Asia, along with apricots, millet, and other simple foods. The Hunzas live to in excess of 100 years of age, which many believe is due to the natural immune-boosting and antiinflammatory foods that they consume daily.

The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin, which gives the herb its characteristic heat. Capsaicin is incredibly effective at increasing the circulation of blood, even to the smallest of places such as the capillaries. Enhanced blood flow can be therapeutic for many reasons, including optimal delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, heart problems, high blood pressure, fatty plaque elimination, decreasing blood clots, and doing away with spider veins and varicose veins.

Cayenne pepper really does do the seemingly impossible.

      

otebooks N Folders Erasers Pencils Pencil sharpener Ballpoint pens Highlighters

     

Glue stick White-out Lunch box Laptop/iPad New Sneakers Gym Socks

Look out for the perfect school bag to ensure better back posture for your child*  L ightweight material  Hip strap  Waist belt

 Padded shoulder straps  Padded back  Wheels

To read about the benefits of a few more, visit www.education-uae.com *Sourced from www.spine-health.com

64 64 Parent Corner

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY STRESS An American Psychological Association (APA) survey of 1,000 children found that they know when their parents are stressed – and it troubles them. It makes them unhappy, gives them feelings of anxiety, and can make them upset and annoyed.

It is therefore vital that children are shown how to deal with stress effectively, which will enhance their biological functioning and competence.

When the body experiences toxic stress, it can have a detrimental effect on a child’s long-term development and biological processes, taking a toll on the brain and the body. Of course, the effects can range greatly, but stress can be a factor in causing anything from heart disease through to depression, anxiety, neediness, and the inability to learn new behaviours.

So as much as academia and schooling is essential, it is just as important to remember that play is essential for a child’s development. Playing allows children to not only express themselves, but helps builds confidence, social skills, creativity, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, when parents play with their children it helps develop strong bonds and gives and provides further opportunities for learning, and not to leave out that it can be a stress buster for parents.

Sirin Ortanca is an International Life Coach and NLP Practitioner. As a graduate of King’s College in London, and coming from a long history in education, she specialises in helping people make the changes they are looking for in life.

It is also important to realise that it is quite normal to feel tired as a parent, even overwhelmed and slightly stressed at times, and learning how to deal with these emotions will really enhance day-to-day living. However, when emotions start to negatively impact other areas of life, or when it is no longer possible to enjoy activities that used to bring joy, it may be a good idea to seek help from a doctor, who will be able to decide what treatment may be best.

Research from the APA found that children who say their parents are always stressed are more likely to report having a great deal of stress themselves, as opposed to those who say their parents are never stressed (17% vs. 2%). Elevated levels of stress in early years have been linked to

65

ADVICE

impaired emotional and behavioural development, in addition to several other health concerns later in life, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Consequently, parents need to be mindful of how they manage stress, as they play a key role in teaching children about the expression, regulation, and experience of emotion. Therefore, look for opportunities to have fun, and when needed take a break from it all, whether it is for a cup of tea or a walk outside.

Prioritising what will bring you most fulfilment in life is really helpful in creating a more relaxed and happy environment. Last but not least, staying in a state of gratitude, and focusing on what is thriving in you and your child’s life will elevate your feelings of happiness and allow you to create a more positive outlook on life.

Students, take ownership; learn from mistakes, and think of ways to help more people.

PAUL GRIMAUD, Principal at Al Resalah American International School

Research from the APA found that children who say their parents are always stressed are more likely to report having a great deal of stress themselves

66 Parent Corner

RELOCATING?

HERE’S THE

411!

What are the most important factors a family needs to consider when moving to a new location within the same city, a new city, or even a new country? We asked Victoria Moss from RelocateMe, a company that has been relocating happy families since 2008.

Victoria Moss is the Founder and Managing Director of RelocateMe.

“Each individual we support in their relocation has a different set of criteria, dependent on their family’s needs,” Victoria begins.

“What is right for one family does not always meet the needs of another, but here are some of the top things families consider.”

easily be put into place is something that families also consider. While everyone plans for a smooth transition, there is a lot of preparation to do beforehand with these permits. This is especially true when you are moving into or out of the country.

Proximity to School We see that a large number of families are choosing to live closer to their children’s school in order to minimise the daily commute.

The Ease of Travel When relocating with older children, we see families begin to think about the proximity to public transport, transport fees, and proximity to entertainment centres and malls.”

So now that you are moved into your new house how do you make connections with your community?

Victoria explains: “There really is a great social network in the UAE. Many parents and children meet friends through school, arranging play dates, or participating in after school activities. Others may find solace partaking in group activities, joining a local golf club, sports club, attending business network meetings, or simply linking to one of the various expat groups via social media. Throughout the UAE you can always find an organised coffee morning, a book club, or a simple ‘meet-up’ group.

Whatever your preferred method to interact, there really is something for everyone.”

Getting Through All The Paperwork The ease of getting all the paperwork sorted, and ensuring all the permits can

Contact info@relocateme.ae www.relocateme.ae

Family Friendly Communities Another important consideration typically includes whether the area is popular with families and has amenities to support everyday requirements, such as local supermarkets, swimming pools, and children’s play areas.

68 Parent Corner

Present and Parenting TODAY’S DAD It is not uncommon for Mother’s Day to be celebrated in an elaborate way, while Father’s Day passes by in a whisper. The spotlight has traditionally remained on mums and their contributions to the upbringing of their children, but is the role of dads going unnoticed? Are great fathers being celebrated enough, especially now when the current generation of dads is present and parenting?

69

We had the chance to speak to four fathers about their family life, and although they have very different professions, it is evident that “Dad” is their most important job.

Being a Radio Jockey and DJ means that Abhijeet Adhvaryu doesn’t have a normal 9am to 5pm schedule, and this makes time with his daughter and son challenging at times. “There can be days where I don’t see my kids because of my work commitments, but I make sure I speak to them on the phone. I think it is essential that they know I’m always there even if I’m not physically in front of them,” he says.

“Because my wife and kids currently live and study in the UK, we use an app to always stay connected throughout the day,” shares Eddie Rayner, Managing Director at a publishing company, and father of a daughter and son. “Through a mobile camera in our house, I can open up the app on my phone and have a look around the house. Sometimes I’ll say into the speaker, “stop doing that!’ whenever they’re doing something they shouldn’t. It makes them feel like I’m right there,” he jokes.

When it comes to parenting styles one dad doesn’t mind the discipline, while another wants to be the ‘good cop’.

“I would consider myself as a firm but fair father and this is exactly how my parents raised me. There are standards and expectations of how my wife and I have taught our children to conduct themselves,” says Ciaran O’Sullivan, Senior Manager of Services in the aviation industry.

Abhijeet says, “I have a hard time with having to discipline them or saying no. They know I’m the parent who will give in and give them what they want.”

Muhammad Usman Khan, a Subject Matter Expert at an airport services provider company, engages in regular dialogue with his son and daughter. “I try to be as vocal about what I expect of the kids and have a conversation with my oldest about how he feels about different things in life. We play, jump, and watch cartoons together whenever we have time,” he says.

These dads have so much more to share about what fatherhood meaning to them, and the values they are instilling in their children.

“My parents were super involved, supported me, came to all my games, and exposed me to lots of cultures. I hated it as a kid, but now I understand. I appreciate what they did, and I’m doing it myself.”

Eddie Rayner

“As a sporting family, the trips to and from rugby matches or training are often the times when we connect the most.

A simple comment provokes a two-way conversation – when you listen, you get an insight into how they think and how they are developing.”

Ciaran O’Sullivan

“I show my kids that it’s not wrong for men to work around the house as well as outside. If my wife can run errands for the household, I too can help around with chores.”

Muhammad Usman Khan

These dads have so much more to share about what fatherhood meaning to them, and the values they are instilling in their children. Visit www.education-uae.com to read this and more.

“Until I became a dad I didn’t know that I had the ability to be so patient.”

Abhijeet Adhvaryu

70 70 Bon Voyage | Travel Far

VIENNA-NOW, FOREVER Ranked the most liveable city in the world for the 10th consecutive year by the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, Vienna attracts locals and visitors alike with outstanding attractions, magnificent restaurants, world-famous cafĂŠs, artisan shops, and fascinating street markets.

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ADVICE Prepare all your backpack supplies the night before so in the morning you’re not rushed.

ANDY LYONS, Director at Ignite School

72 Bon Voyage | Travel Far

WHAT TO DO Tip: Visit viennapass.com to get hassle free entry into over 60 of the top attractions in the city.

Prater An amusement park within a public park, Wurstelprater is old but gold, with a 65 metre high Ferris wheel that towers over the city.

Price: The park is free with rides costing between AED6 – AED20 Suggested time: 3-5 hour (bonus: it is open 24 hours a day!)

Spanish Riding School One of the oldest of its kind in the world (seriously, it was founded in 1572), this school is a real treat for animal lovers or those interested in the classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition.

Price: AED30 – AED73 (children below 6 enter free) Suggested time: 1-2 hours Fun fact: The famous Lipizzaner horses perform during their morning workouts or during gala events.

The Belvedere Calling all architecture and art lovers. With its two Baroque palaces, this park is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you will experience 800 years of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day, while the Belvedere 21 is a showcase for contemporary art.

Price: AED102 (children under 18 enter free) Suggested time: 2-3 hours in each area Tip: Remember to hold on to your tickets to get access to each museum.

Schönbrunn Palace Built in the 17th century, this fortress in Vienna was the summerhouse of the Austrian imperial family for several hundred years – with a count of 1,441 rooms. Its stunning architecture, luxurious interiors, and beautiful gardens are well worth a visit.

Price: AED43 – AED71 (children under 6 enter free) Suggested time: 4-6 hours

A Big Bus Tour is a great way to see all the sights of Vienna.

Designed to entertain every member of the family with onboard commentary, you can hop off at any stop to explore the city. Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel and discover dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum, then visit the many palaces that dot the city. When you’ve seen it, done it, and group selfied it, simply re-join the tour.

Tip: Visit the Tiergarten Schönbrunn zoo where you can walk through a rainforest house, experience desert conditions, see a live coral reef, and call in on the giant pandas.

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WHAT TO DO

WHAT TO EAT

WHERE TO STAY

The Palace of Schönbrunn, its gardens, and zoo belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Schönbrunn.

Wiener Schnitzel One of Austria’s national dishes, this thin cutlet, usually of veal, is breaded and then pan-fried. Found in many restaurants and eateries in the city, it is something for every meat lover to try.

Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe

Schönbrunn Zoo Built over 267 years ago, this imperial menagerie is known as the oldest zoo in the world, and is home to over 8,500 animals from more than 700 different species.

Price: AED41 – AED82 (Children under 6 free) Suggested time: 3-5 hours Tip: You may want to get a family day pass for AED245. This is valid for 2 adults and 3 children.

Cafe Stein offers a special Sunday service to relieve stressed parents. Mum and dad can enjoy an undisturbed breakfast whilst an experienced minder takes care of the youngsters in the kids’ room.

Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel) With its flaky crust and spiced apple and raisin filling, and topped with sprinklings of cinnamon and sugar, this Austrian delicacy is great as a standalone dessert or coupled with your favourite hot drink.

Highly rated for its comfortable beds (booking. com) and with the scenic landscape of the Heart of downtown Vienna, this luxury hotel is a mere 10-minute walking distance from the city centre.

Number of people: 2 adults, 2 children Price: *AED800 per night for 1 room, 2 adults, and 2 children

Wiener Wurstel (Viennese Sausages) One of the best and cheapest things to eat in the city is the on-the-go snack.

Readily available, this meaty street food is served in slices (unlike its US and UK counterparts) with mustard and ketchup.

Ibis Styles Wien City Hotel Known as the Vienna ‘home away from home’, this hotel offers families the promise of relaxation, a great breakfast buffet, and a good time.

Number of people: 2 adults, 2 children Price: *AED700 per night for 1 room, 2 adults, and 2 children

ActiLingua Apartment Hotel Stylishly modern with a touch of classic charm, your family is sure to enjoy this spacious and airy Vienna home. Located about 5-10 minutes walking distance from the metro line puts you at ease of transport to all the wonderful attractions.

Number of people: 2 adults, 2 children Price: *AED600 per night for 1 room, 2 adults, and 2 children

*Prices are based on an average from booking.com,

KEY: Number of people

Breakfast available

Multilingual staff

Family-friendly

Children’s activities

tripadvisor.com, and expedia.com for the first week of October and are subject to change.

74 74 Bon Voyage | Travel Near

SRI NKAA LANK SRILA

CYP CYPRUS RUS

JOR DANN JORDA

HOP SKIP HOLIDAY

If you’re planning a quick getaway with the kids, check out these top three family destinations under five hours travel time for all age groups.

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NEGOMBO, SRI LANKA

Toddler Takes On Travel Flight time: 4 hours and 40 minutes

Take your little one on a wilderness journey and watch through their eyes as they excitedly connect with nature’s animals like baby turtles and blue whales.

PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE Visit a breeding ground for elephants where your toddler can witness them bathe in the river. From a baby elephant all the way to the matriarch of the herd, you get to interact with them all.

Price: AED26 – AED52 Suggested time: 3 hours Tip: Don’t feel the need to pack a million toddler products with you. Milk and diapers are readily available at almost all grocery stores across the country.

PAPHOS, CYPRUS

Being a Child with Your Child

LEARNING AND FUN ROLLED INTO ONE Want to give your kids a chance to explore different professions close to home? At KidZania Abu Dhabi, playing imitates life, giving your kids over 60 professions to choose from!

Flight time: 3 hours and 40 minutes Detective Kidz can become crime scene investigators and receive the briefing for a case, which then encourages them to use observational skills to collect and analyse evidence and solve the case.

A great story is always a way to bond with your kids, and what better tale than that of the alleged birthplace of the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite.

Explore Paphos and it’s mythological stories of days passed.

HALF-DAY JOLLY ROGER PIRATES CRUISE What better way to bond with your child than setting sail on a voyage including walking the plank and watching an action-packed pirate show.

Price: AED162 per person Suggested time: 4 hours

PETRA, JORDAN

Hospitality They can explore the world of hospitality at Rove Hotels by trying different jobs as receptionists and housekeepers.

Trekking with Your Teen Flight time: 3 hours and 30 minutes Explore the ancient sandstone city of Petra by horseback or in the shadows of the moon by night. Either way this famous site is a place your teenager is sure to enjoy.

LOST CITY OF PETRA Declared as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2019, this ride through time will leave your family in awe at the towering cliff walls of the Petra Mountains, the mystic caves, and the chilling ruins. Indiana Jones fans will especially feel the magic here.

Price: AED260 for a day pass Suggested time: 6 hours Tip: Don’t forget to stop by the Dead Sea for a mud bath – the fastest way to clear up your skin. Your teenager will love you for this.

Academia For those who wish to feel what college is like, you can join a University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Science. Not to forget the internship as they complete their Master’s degree!

RightZKeepers Neighborhood As for the younger Kidz (1-4 years old), a confined space designed especially for infants and toddlers is available to explore freely and develop integrally through storytelling sessions or puppet shows.

Contact

www.abudhabi.kidzania.ae

DON’T MISS THE CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE ULTIMATE KIDS INTERACTIVE CITY IN THE CAPITAL!

Location

KidZania, Ground Floor Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi

Social media

@kidzaniaabudhabi @kidzaniaae

76 76 Look Good, Feel Good | Beauty

Back to School Hairstyles It’s never easy getting your little ones to sit still long enough to do their hair for them, especially when you’re trying to get them ready for school in the morning. Here are seven quick and easy hairstyle ideas.

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Side Braid and Bun

Space Buns

Want to see how it’s done?

Fish Plait

Head over to our website www.education-uae.com

for the video tutorialS

Bow Bun

Side French Braid

Twisted Bun Topsy Turvy

SPECIAL THANKS

To The Northern Quarter for the Hairstyles

Social media @TNQhairandbeauty @thenorthernquarterdubai

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Bio-Oil contains numerous ingredients that help to plasticise the skin, making it softer, smoother and suppler, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkled skin. Bio-Oil also moisturises, which improves the texture, tone and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, to be applied to the affected areas twice daily.

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Nourish your skin with Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare oil, making it more elastic to aid stretching skin and minimise the potential of stretch marks. During pregnancy it is best to apply from the start of the second trimester to areas that are prone to stretch marks, such as the abdomen and chest.

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After exfoliation, use Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare oil and let the goodness contained in the vitamins and plant extracts be absorbed.

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82 82 Myth or Truth

I AM LOST, HEAR MY CRY Depression in children is unfortunately very common, and youngsters who suffer with depression are also likely to suffer with other mental health conditions, such as ADHD and behavioural problems.

Dr Adrian Harrison from kidsFIRST Medical Centre explodes a few myths surrounding depression in children, whilst giving a few pointers on how to deal with this problem and its possible prevention.

MYTH 1: Children cannot be depressed.

There are a number of myths surrounding mental health in children, with parents sometimes having picked up wrong ideas about child development from their own parents, friends, or the media. It is not uncommon for parents to believe that children cannot be depressed, have nothing to worry about, and don’t get stressed.

This is totally incorrect. Children can have episodes of depression, experience excessive worrying, and experience post-traumatic stress related difficulties.

MYTH 2: They will grow out of it.

There can be numerous reasons for mental health problems. However, not surprisingly in this modern age, I have noticed an increase in referrals related to excessive computer game use. Whatever the reason, though, it can be very difficult for parents to acknowledge that their child may have an emotional, intellectual, or psychological challenge. Often parents hope that the child will ‘grow out of it’ or that their current unwanted behaviour is simply ‘a phase they are going through’.

MYTH 3: Mental illness is a sign of a weak personality.

It is important to realise that mental illness is not a sign of a weak personality. Many mental health difficulties are the result of neurobiological differences and/or adverse childhood events that have caused a significant psychological impact on the child.

People with all different personality styles experience mental health difficulties.

Children’s mental health and wellbeing are influenced by their social circumstances; hence, it is important to provide a nurturing environment alongside individual treatment of the child. And as we move forwards, it is vital that there is an increased awareness of mental health difficulties locally, as well as more opportunities and activities to help children who are experiencing these difficulties.

What parents can do Firstly, parents need to be aware that there are professionals available to help them and their child. Secondly, parents need to understand the nature and severity of the childhood difficulty. Thirdly, parents need to feel that they can trust the professional assigned to help their child.

Research informs us that there are protective factors that lower the likelihood of developing a mental illness. Some of these include physical activity; engagement and connection in at least two of the following areas – school, peers, employment, religion, culture; and supportive relationships with family members, resulting in physical and psychological safety.

Indeed, children cannot manage a mental health disorder by willpower alone.

They need a supportive community environment at home and at school, appropriate interventions, and in some cases the use of medication.

Finally, to conclude with a piece of very welcome news, there is no doubt that school staff within the UAE are now much better at identifying and informing families of a potential mental health concern with their child.

Dr Adrian Harrison is an Educational and Child Psychologist licensed with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and is the Head of Department at kidsFIRST Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi.

83

ADVICE Take a topic you are interested in and research it.

Create a passion project!

DR STEPHANIE CHATTMAN, Principal at Universal American School

84 Health and Nutrition | What's Good for Me?

DEPRESSION

FURRY FRIENDS

AND OUR

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner at Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics.

85

Most pet owners assume that physical health is the only thing to worry about for their furry friends, but mental health is equally important, as Farah Al-Khojai, the managing partner at Pet’s Delight, explains.

What are some of the mental illnesses that our pets suffer from?

Cats and dogs feel certain emotions just like humans do, which means they too are susceptible to mental illnesses. The most common mental illness in pets that we hear about in the UAE is separation anxiety. This is because many owners work long hours and have to leave their pets at home alone for significant periods of time. Another mental illness that pets can suffer from is depression.

What is the main cause of this depression?

Research shows that normal life events could be triggers for depression and anxiety in pets, such as moving home, introducing a new baby to the family, or a recent loss of another pet or owner.

With cats, it can even be something as simple as changing their litter.

What symptoms should we look out for?

John Ciribassi, DVM, past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour says, “Dogs will become withdrawn. They become inactive. Their eating and sleeping habits often change. They don’t participate in the things they once enjoyed.”

This is often the same in felines.

It’s important to note that the above could be symptoms of depression, or they could be signs of a medical problem. We would always recommend seeking the advice of a vet if you notice any strange behaviour in your pet.

What are the best ways to treat an animal with depression or anxiety?

It does largely depend on the reasons why you think your pet might be depressed.

However, never underestimate the power of some tender loving care (TLC). Do what you know your dog or cat enjoys doing; it’s vital to keep them active and engaged, whether it’s going for a walk, playing fetch, or playing with feathers and string.

In the most part, cases of depression in pets can be treated with environmental changes and some TLC. However, if you feel that you have tried without much luck, there are drugs that your vet can prescribe.

Do you have any other tips?

It’s important when you are first getting your new pet to understand their temperament. Adoption is extremely popular in the UAE and usually we are adopting older pets rather than puppies or kittens. This means that the shelter or organisation you are getting your pet from will have an idea of their personality, which can be a real help, and then anything outside of this temperament you should be able to pick up on.

I think it’s really important to always be in tune with your pet’s moods, as often they are a reflection of bigger issues. Their change in mood may not necessarily be depression, but could be a sign that they are in chronic pain, so it’s important to be vigilant.

FROZEN PUP-SICLES! Want to make a homemade treat for your dog? Pet’s Delight share their favourite recipe: frozen pup-sicles!

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1 Carefully open the packet and empty it into the mould

2

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3 Remove from the freezer and allow it to thaw for 5 minutes

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87

MEAL TIME MAGIC It’s back-to-school time, and we’ve got two quick and easy recipes to keep your kids happy during their lunch break.

Fahmim Arif a Dubai-based food stylist and photographer, shares her favourite lunch recipes.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA Serves: 2-3 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25-30 minutes INGREDIENTS  300 grams butternut squash, diced  400 grams pasta of your choice  8-9 pods garlic, diced  1 onion  ½ a cup parmesan cheese, grated  1 ½ tbsp tomato puree  1 tsp chili flakes  Salt and pepper  Olive oil METHOD For the sauce: Start by heating the oil in a pan. Once it sizzles, add the diced garlic and onion.

Cook until they turn soft.

Add the diced butternut squash along with chilli flakes. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes over low flame. Add a little water if needed.

Once the squash is cooked through, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Then turn off the flame and let it cool.

Once it comes to room temperature, blend to form a sauce. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and use it as a dip!

For the pasta: Cook the pasta as per the instructions on the packet. Drain the pasta and add 6-7 tbsp of sauce to the pasta. Mix well.

Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, basil leaves, and more Chilli flakes if your kids like that extra spice!

METHOD Start by grating the beetroot and cooking it over medium heat until all the water evaporates.

BEETROOT WAFFLES Serves: 2-3 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes INGREDIENTS  150 grams beetroot  80 grams flour  400 grams coconut cream  2 tbsp canola oil  2 eggs  1 tsp vanilla essence  1 tsp baking powder  ¼ tsp baking soda  4 tbsp honey

Contact www.mymagicingredient.com Social media @magicingredient @magicingredient

Blend the cooked beetroot with half the coconut cream. Add a little water if required to smoothen the mixing.

In a bowl, add the flour, and the beet and coconut cream mixture. Mix until everything is well combined.

Then add the eggs, oil, vanilla, baking powder, and baking soda.

Preheat the waffle maker and cook the waffles as per the instructions of your waffle maker.

When you’re ready to serve, you can use maple syrup or any other sweetener over your waffles. However, I personally love pairing these with leftover coconut cream combined with honey!

90 Health and Nutrition | What's Good for Me?

EVERY CHILD NEEDS #FOOD_HEROES Dubai Municipality has developed a series of characters that create positive dietary habits and unleash the potential in youngsters’ hearts and minds.

Food Heroes, characters that represent the six main food groups, help deliver the message to school children that consuming these food groups is not only a healthy thing to do, but fun too!

Ghalia: Grains and Cereals She is our main source of carbohydrates and is therefore full of energy! Everybody loves Ghalia because she keeps our stomach full and is a source of fibres and B-complex vitamins.

Mufeed: Milk and Milk Products He is a source of protein and calcium, who helps with strengthening bones and focusing better. Mufeed recommends low fat milk and milk products over full fat milk.

Jamila: Fruits She represents the fruits family, such as bananas, strawberries, oranges, and apples. Jamila provides us with vitamins and minerals such as potassium and vitamin B6.

FOOD HEROES PLATE Creating a ‘Food Heroes Plate’ can be a colourful, fun, and educational experience, but it is important to take the following into consideration:  Choose variety and different food groups to create a balanced meal  Fill half of the plate with Jamila and Nasheet food groups, such as salads and fruits  When choosing Ghalia, make at least half of the grain group whole grains, like oatmeal and whole-wheat bread

Saleem: Legumes and Meat He represents the animal group, including chicken, meat, and fish. Saleem is rich in B-vitamins, zinc, iron, and magnesium; he helps build muscles, bones, skin, and blood, as well as enhancing memory.

Nasheet: Vegetables He is a source of vegetables and provides us with fibres that help in digestion and vitamin C, which in turn helps fight infections. He recommends consuming one cup of raw leafy vegetables or one cup of cooked vegetables per day.

Lateef: Nuts and Oils Although he is small, Lateef is a source of healthy fats, vitamin B, vitamin E, and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium.

Combining the food groups with these fun heroes ensures that kids relate to the foods on their plate every time they sit down to eat!

#FOOD_HEROES

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2.95 AED

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