Half-Termly Journal Issue 8

Dear Parents, Welcome to Issue 8 of the Half-Termly Journal, where we have had to add additional photo pages to share with you all the incredible activity that has taken place over the last few weeks!

In a change to tradition this year, the school’s winter concerts for the primary school were relocated to the tennis courts so that we could welcome in as many families as possible to mark the start of the festive season, and celebrate the end of term. Having so many parents, grandparents, students and teachers all under one roof served as a perfect reminder of our uniquely cohesive school community.

The performing arts have been high on the agenda for all of our students, with the secondary school production hitting our stage this term as well, as featured on the cover of this edition.

But if the arts aren’t your ‘thing’, fear not! There’s plenty more that we’ve been up to for you to find out more about in the following pages - the term has been a busy one!

Please enjoy this full-to-bursting edition of the Half-Termly Journal, best served with a cup of tea and a mince pie, and have a lovely winter break, when it comes.

Festive wishes, Sarah Reynolds

Sarah Reynolds Principal

Wellbeing

December 2023

MAKE A NOISE! Being an Upstander, not a bystander, is the message we promote throughout the school with all students, to encourage them take a proactive stance against bullying, and serve a key message that we all take a role in promoting a positive and safe community.

Every year we mark ‘Upstanders Week’ in line with the UK ‘Antibullying Week’ to remind our students what bullying is, what it isn’t, and what we can do to both proactively prevent as well as how to respond to bullying behaviours no matter where we may come across them.

This year’s theme ‘Make A Noise’ was directed by UK Anti bullying Charity ‘Bullies Out’ and adopted by the school for the week. From the Bullies Out team:

“Too often we are silent when we see bullying taking place, silent about the hurt bullying behaviour causes and silent when we hear bullying behaviour being dismissed as ‘just banter’. It doesn’t have to be this way… We can choose respect, kindness and unity.”

Wellbeing To support students in considering the potency of their words, the whole school engaged in a positive noticing task, where they observed something positive about another member of the school community, and shared it with them either in the form of a spoken compliment (lower down the school) or as a written note.

Acknowledging the positive impact that positive words can have set the scene for further discussion about the opposite, with students from Key Stage 2 and up exploring ‘roasting’ and ‘banter’ and how easily that crosses the line into hurtful comments. Additionally, discussions were held further around how ‘jokes’ written in messages can so easily be interpreted negatively and, whether or not that was the writer’s intent is regardless when the negative impact has already been felt.

As always, the week provided a refresher for students to remember what to do if something or someone is bothering them, and that the adults in school have a responsibility for their emotional and physical safety, so that there is always someone they can turn to for help.

For more information about UK Anti-Bullying Week please visit: https://bulliesout.com/anti-bullying-week/antibullying-week-2022-reach-out/

December 2023

Agency

December 2023

STUDENT-LED SHOWBIZ A highlight in the school calendar, the secondary school production of High School Musical graced our stage at the end of November to great anticipation from primary and secondary students, parents and staff, with both nights a complete sell out from the beginning of the week that they were due to perform.

Mrs Williams, Drama Teacher and Director of the production began sowing the seeds of agency during last year’s production of Westside Story so students could see what was possible, and this year loosened the directorial reins even further by empowering students to co-direct, choreograph, technically direct and stage manage.

Such opportunities serve to support students in taking an authentic, high-stakes lead; there’s nothing more real than an audience of 220 expecting to be entertained! They also provide a chance for our young adults to develop their interests and skills in areas regarding which, as they move onto higher education destinations, even more opportunities will be ripe for the picking.

Roving Reporter Jamie Singh in Year 9 took a moment to interview the cast’s leads to find out more about the show. To read the full article please enjoy this half term’s student newspaper Dear DBS, shared with you via the weekly notices last week.

by Jamie Singh What made you interested in pursuing the production?

Will: This is my fourth year doing the production – I have always loved it, and I think that it is so much fun.

Roya: I have a huge passion for the performing arts, so it really intrigued me.

Deniz: Mrs Williams recommended it to me.

Amelia: I do GCSE drama, so I thought it would be good to develop my skills.

Sophie: I have always been interested in the performing arts and I will hopefully pursue Musical Theatre for a career!

What would you say was the most challenging part?

Will: Definitely dancing; there is a lot more choreography than last year, so learning how to do it was difficult.

Roya: Trying to ‘get our heads in the game’!

Marcus: I enjoyed it last year and I wanted to participate again.

Zein: I watched last year’s production, and I really enjoyed it. I therefore decided that I would audition for this one.

Deniz: Learning lines.

Amelia: Singing in front of people for the first time.

Marcus: The most challenging part was all the lines I had to memorise, however I managed to get it in the end.

Zein: The most challenging part for me, was mentally preparing myself to get on stage, and playing my character in a believable way. Coach Bolton is extremely angry in several scenes, and portraying that anger was extremely difficult for me.

Any thoughts on future productions?

Will: Next year I will probably join as crew as it will be the year I take my A-Levels, but I think that something like Grease would be fun. I will be happy with whatever is next.

Roya: We should definitely do La La Land.

Deniz: I will definitely join next year.

Amelia: I think we should do Mamma Mia. Sophie: Unfortunately, this was my last school production, but I heard a suggestion of The Greatest Showman for the next one, which would be fun.

Zein: I really hope it is either ‘Footloose’ or ‘Grease’. Even if it is not, I am still coming back to audition!

What has your favourite part of the production been?

Do you have any advice for people auditioning in the future?

Will: Definitely meeting new people – it’s nice to see everyone as a group.

Will: I know it seems hard, but not as much as everyone thinks it is, and it is fun to do.

Deniz: Friday rehearsals, all the dancing, and meeting some new people along the way.

Roya: Just do it; it is fun. It is not just about acting, it is also about meeting new people and having fun, as well as discovering who you are.

Amelia: I think that it is just being part of the community - having fun and doing something that I enjoy.

Amelia: Do not be afraid to do it, because it might end up working out for you.

Marcus: My favourite part of the production has been getting to work with new people I have never met before.

Sophie: As I was on the judging panel this year, I saw most, if not all the auditions, and one thing I saw was a LOT of nerves! Just remember to try and have fun and enjoy the process rather than worrying about what role you will land. Everyone ends up being in the play, whether as a lead role or as an ensemble member – both as equally important to one another.

Zein: My favourite part of the production was meeting different people of all year groups. I have not been very social outside my own year before, so this was a great opportunity to have fun with new friends.

Zein: I have two big pieces of advice. Firstly, spend a proper amount of time picking the monologue you will perform. Secondly, rehearse that monologue at home. It will help you with performing and will give you greater confidence when on stage.

Sophie: My favourite part of the production was meeting everyone, making new friends, choreographing dances, and forcing everyone to learn them.

We also asked the cast some questions on the night of the production: It is a sold out show tonight, how do you feel?

Will: I feel really proud to show everyone how hard we worked and how good we as group can be.

Roya: Amazing, I am so glad people are starting to recognise the arts!

Sophie: I feel incredible! All of our hard work has led up to this moment and it is wonderful that so many people are here to support and watch us.

What parts of the show do you think the audience will enjoy the most?

Zein: I feel extremely excited. If I mess up a line, people will forget by tomorrow. If I put on a good show, people will remember it for a lot longer.

Will: I definitely think that ‘Status Quo’ and the audition scene are the highlights of the show, so it is going to be fun to see everyone’s reactions.

Roya: Every part of it.

Sophie: Me being absolutely covered in cake from head to toe and of course Marcus’ (Ryan) and my duet.

Zein: Some of the scenes with Troy and Gabriella were extremely heart-warming and emotional. But also, the choreography. Sharpay and Ryan’s audition scenes were extremely fun.

What are a few things you would like to tell the team?

Will: I want to tell ‘The Jocks’ how proud I am of how hard they worked and tell anyone new to the production not to worry.

Roya: Good job, I am so proud, and it’s been an honour working with you guys.

Sophie: All our hard work definitely paid off, and we did amazingly.

What did you most enjoy about your role?

Will: I definitely enjoyed the dance parts my character was part of. I have never been a confident dancer, so it was a lot of fun to work on that and make the show even better.

Roya: Playing a character that is so different from myself.

Zein: I am extremely grateful for this role, as even though it is my first time in the production, it is a decently sized role with a good number of lines. My favourite parts were the argument scenes with Ms Darbus and Troy, as these were the most fun to play on stage.

SAIL GP In the last week of term, 29 of our Year 8 students attended the Sail Grand Prix STEM Learning Programme workshop for the second year running at P&O Marina’s Sailing Academy ahead of the prestigious global racing event taking place on the 9th and 10th of December. The workshop, founded upon the SailGP belief that ‘Sailing can be a force for good, transforming the lives of communities around the world, educating the next generation about the power of nature’ aims to inspire the next generation of sailors and engineers.

Our students were introduced to the technical challenges of designing worldclass racing yachts and the exhilaration of competitive sailing. They enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the SailGP Technical Site coupled with hands-on STEM education modules focused on the natural elements (Wind, Water, Sun and Earth) allowing our students to build their own turbines and helping them to understand how to harness the wind's power. They also took part in a water buoyancy design challenge and were thrilled to experience an introduction to sailing on RS 21 boats.

Opportunity “I learned something new and perhaps even found a hobby for the future. I really enjoyed the boat design and testing activity because it was experimental, creative and very competitive. Then we took turns to actually sail the boats. It was fun and unusual - something you don’t get to do every day. My advice to Year 7 students for next year is you have to do it – it’s a must!” Eesa, Year 8

December 2023 A key focus of the day was the diverse skill sets required by the range of specialists involved boat building and racing with particular emphasis on problem-solving, communication and collaboration.

The initiative is part of a wider programme designed to encourage more young people to consider careers in the exciting sport.

Following on from this the Inspire Careers program will provide older individuals with the opportunity to join SailGP's boat building, hydraulics, sustainability, media services and shore teams. Designed to showcase the variety of different career pathways that are available within the sailing industry, the programme’s selection process prioritizes a mix of skills and backgrounds.

Pippa Kenton-Page MBE, Olympic gold medallist from Beijing 2008 and Inspire Coordinator (UAE), said: “The Inspire program is such an amazing part of SailGP and something really unique to the championship. Engaging young people in the sport is something I’m particularly passionate about, especially those who may not otherwise have the chance to try sailing and get involved.

SailGP offers this opportunity for young people all around the world to try sailing and be inspired by the amazing boats and athletes involved. For me, this part of the global league is really incredible, and I can’t wait to see the young people of Dubai and Abu Dhabi getting on the water and hopefully introducing them to a lifetime of sailing.”

Opportunity

December 2023

Take a look at more of the wonderful opportunities our students have enjoyed over the last half term including day trips, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and the Secondary Sports Day.

Poetry for All The Emirates Literature Foundation partnered with Emirates NBD as part of the Emirates Literature Festival earlier last month to provide students of determination an opportunity to perform competitively in their ‘Poetry for All’ competition.

Three of our students; Ozan (Year 5), Laila (Year 8) and Yasmina (Year 8) bravely took to the stage at Al Mawakeb school in Al Khawaneej and successfully secured positions as semi-finalists thanks to their clear and articulate performances in front of a live audience.

Public speaking is, of course, a crucial life skill and one which can be made even more daunting for a student with additional needs, where communication, confidence and courage are attributes which can be commonly compromised.

Ozan, Laila and Yasmina demonstrated incredible mettle and tenacity in holding their nerve during their performances, not only to deliver the poems with accuracy but also expression and emotion.

Clearly something of a natural, Laila took to the stage again a week later as a member of the cast of High School Musical. This, as well as all three students’ performance in the Poetry for All competition was much to the pride of Miss Katie, the ASDAN Pathway coordinator: “To see our students handle so many unfamiliar elements; a long bus journey, a new setting, an enormous auditorium with stage lighting and no rehearsal, and then independently get up on stage and perform with such confidence and enthusiasm was incredibly impressive. What made me even prouder was seeing our students congratulate each other, and cheer on students from other schools, clearly demonstrating a generosity of spirit for the benefit of everyone involved.”

Community

December 2023

MAKING CONNECTIONS Connection is being increasingly recognised in the medical world as crucial to upholding mental and physical health, with loneliness being most recently linked, by the US department of Health and Human Services, to serious medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and dementia, to name but a few.

You would be forgiven for thinking that loneliness couldn’t possibly be a challenge for members of a ready-made community such as a school.

However, with loneliness being defined as perceived isolation, everyone is vulnerable. Therefore, schools must take proactive measures to build community, facilitate connection, and provide opportunities for students, staff and parents to connect. Our cultural celebrations aim to achieve just this.

At the beginning of the half term parents from our British and Indian communities supported leaders in ensuring that the Festival of Light and Hope brought the school together to mark a key festival in their home cultures.

Navya (Year 4) started the day off for the primary school by delivering an information session to the whole of Years 1 to 6 in their assembly and Annika (Year 13) provided slides for staff to deliver the same to the secondary school during their tutor time.

Parents and children kindly gave their time to decorate the foyer and outside entrance with flower wreaths and rangoli patterns, as well as host an incredibly popular food stall so that all students, from 3 to 18, could come and sample some traditional Indian food throughout the course of the day, while watching celebratory dances provided by more of our student body.

Community

December 2023

Towards the end of the term another key celebration punctuated the school calendar: National Day. Again, a feast for the senses was prepared by our wonderful Arabic staff to engage all students in the vibrant culture of the UAE, with food, henna, a camel, and a falcon on display along with learning sessions in assemblies and lesson provided for students to understand the cultural significance of these interactive elements.

As we move into next term we can look forward to International Day; another opportunity for our students to learn more about the cultures of others and enjoy strengthening our community spirit while doing so, and parents will once again be a key feature of the event’s success. Keep an eye out for communication coming your way early next term, as to how you can get involved in sharing your home culture with our community.

Community

December 2023

COMMUNITY CONTINUED...

A plethora of events continue to bring our community of parents, students and teachers together.

Below are a few snaps from other community highlights from this half term.

Community

December 2023

Excellence

December 2023

As the term drew to a close, we were proud to invite our Year 12 students and their families into the school for their GCSE certificate presentation. With the strongest GCSE results in the school’s history in which 43% of all grades awarded at Grade 8/9 and in a year when all grade boundaries were raised back up to the more stringent 2019 standard, it is clear to see why this group of students felt such need to celebrate.

And if that wasn’t enough, we were incredibly proud to have students who achieved marks that ranked highest in the United Arab Emirates, and the World, in three different subject areas: Manuela - Highest Mark in United Arab Emirates - IGCSE Spanish Addam - Highest Mark in the World - GCSE Geography Tiya - Highest Mark in the World - IGCSE English Language Our sincere congratulations to all our students for their incredible accomplishments.

Pearson Award 2023

Manuela

Pearson Award 2023

Addam

Pearson Award 2023

Tiya

Excellence

December 2023

THE DBSEH LEGACY: A Journey to Excellence

Dear DBS Editor and Year 12 Student Yonita Saggar examines how the 6Cs underpin excellence in her article written for the global educational publication ‘Education View Magazine’.

A journey of excellence. It is what all students aspire to achieve, and Dubai British School Emirates Hills is one of the few schools that truly embodies this sentiment, by nurturing the aspirations of every one of its students. The values instilled within students through the implementation of the school’s ‘6 Cs’ (Communicators, Caring, Courageous, Cooperative, Creative, Critical Thinkers) only make up one aspect of the school’s holistic representation of skills and morals that shape a student’s experience at Dubai British School Emirates Hills and beyond. This is compounded by each one of the 6 Cs being specifically catered to through multiple school events as one progresses through the key stages, which is vital when a student wishes to embark on their journey of excellence, due to the synthesis of characteristics within the 6 Cs that undoubtedly create well-rounded individuals.

One of the first illustrations of the school’s dedication to its students is through its multiple yearround initiatives. First introduced in primary school, Anti-Bullying Week highlights the importance of being caring, courageous, and communicative in the face of adversity. The tightknit community of the school perpetuates a sense of belonging that is felt by all students, which enables them to be the best versions of themselves. Although a week-long initiative, the assemblies and activities associated with Anti-Bullying Week make a lasting impact on students, inspiring them to remain conscientious individuals with compassionate dispositions.

Furthermore, another initiative that embeds the 6 Cs into itself is the Eco Committee. Open to all secondary year groups, this committee stresses the importance of protecting the environment, thereby inspiring students to enjoy giving back to the planet. This is perpetuated through regular beach clean-ups, planting trees, and hosting assemblies to inspire other students. Not only is this an example of student agency, which is another notion the school values, but it also creates awareness and consciousness amongst students, and prepares them to act in the face of adversity, whether it be on a social or environmental level. Therefore, this committee embodies the values of being critical thinkers, creative, and cooperative.

Another reason why these initiatives are so important is because they embody the idea that students must not only focus on academics in order to embark on their journey of excellence.

Initiatives that create inquisitive and driven students with skills that can be developed outside of academics are crucial for personal growth as an individual. Consequently, the skills derived from these initiatives coupled with those obtained from academics result in a versatile individual, who is more than capable of facing the realities of the world that is their oyster.

Excellence Another key component of the journey of excellence that Dubai British School Emirates Hills embodies is the transition between key stages. For example, the transitions between Year 6 to 7, 9 to 10, and 11 to 12 are astounding in terms of the new environment, new subjects, and new methods of learning. To counteract potential dismay about the jump between key stages, Dubai British School Emirates Hills prides itself on its Transition Days. These days, like any other, truly focus on students’ needs to achieve their aspirations. This is compounded by a nuanced method of teaching that stresses the importance of exploration on behalf of students, in order to find subjects that they truly enjoy, paired with the guidance of teachers who aspire to help them realise their passions. The latter is especially important when it comes to GCSE Taster Days as well as A-Level ones, as students will be committing to a two-year course. This, of course, evokes the values of critical thinking, cooperation, and creativity.

There is always meticulous consideration when it comes to GCSE and A-Level options, which can be seen through the diversity in the GCSE and A-Level Options Blocks. There is careful consideration put into the arrangement of each block, as Dubai British School Emirates Hills truly aims for students to utilise the widest range of skills possible. A vast majority of students are able to walk away happy, knowing the subject blocks have been designed in a way that allows them to pursue their first-choice options. Therefore, as Dubai British School Emirates Hills’ motto is ‘Enjoy, Aspire, Achieve,’ the amalgamation of taster days and subject blocks allows for exactly this; students are able to aspire to do what they love, enjoy the subjects they pursue, and therefore achieve a stellar set of results, thus compounding their journey of excellence.

December 2023

Excellence

December 2023

It is important to note that, whilst there is a vast amount of support given during these taster days and periods of transition, Dubai British School Emirates Hills prides itself on providing constant support to its students in times of academic prosperity and public exams. For example, teachers do not shy away from providing unconditional support to students who are studying for GCSEs and A-Levels, and they tirelessly provide extra reading and resources in order for students to develop a true understanding of the subjects at hand, rather than doing the bare minimum.

This level of commitment and dedication on behalf of teachers and students alike can be reflected in the school’s most recent GCSE results, where the class of 2023 achieved the best set of GCSE results in Dubai British School Emirates Hills’ history. Subsequently, the school creates an environment where students love to learn and learn to love their subjects, which is reinforced by passionate teachers. This therefore exudes the importance of the 6 Cs for both teachers and students, in which the care that teachers reflect in their guidance is appreciated by the students, through their abilities to critically think and be creative with the vast number of resources they are given. Therefore, the nurturing environment created by the teachers aids greatly in a student’s journey of excellence, as students are provided with all the skills, they need in order to progress beyond education.

In short, Dubai British School Emirates Hills perpetuates the importance of a socialacademic balance, through the various initiatives it hosts as well as the learning environment it creates, urging students to become well-rounded, successful individuals.

Having consistently been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the KHDA since 2017, it is clear that the success of students not only lies in their own marvellous capabilities, but also lies in the beholder of their education – Dubai British School Emirates Hills. In the immortal words of John Dewey:

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”