Al Sedra Newsletter 2020/21 Issue 2

10th September 2020

YOUR WEEKLY UPDATE ON ALL THAT’S GOING ON AT THE GULF ENGLISH SCHOOL

10th September 2020

WHOLE SCHOOL Dear Parents,

We would like to thank you in your support for a very successful first week back at school. Our learners have quickly adapted to their new routines and engaging with their new way of learning. Our staff have been extremely pleased with your cooperation and support and continually exploring how we may better teach and assess our students in the current circumstances. We are pushing the bounds of technology and using the latest platforms to ensure our teachers and students can perform at their best. This week, we found many examples where students and teachers were able to demonstrate their creativity through Firefly and Microsoft teams. All of this for a common shared goal in doing the best for our GES community.

We’ve had many parents who have shared their enthusiasm with the start of the school year and look forward to maintaining your continued support throughout this time. We will continue sharing communication on our latest updates and also preparing some guides for you to access information more efficiently. Should you have any questions, please contact us on ges.mis@gulfenglishschool.com. We hope you and your family stay safe and in good health.

Yours Sincerely Faheem Javaid Executive Director

10th September 2020

INFANTS Preschool Fun in week one!

All preschool classes have had a challenging but fun time learning whilst social distancing. The children have all followed the school rules, washing hands, using hand sanitizer and sitting or standing 1 .5 metres from each other. We are so proud of our children, their understanding and effort towards a safer year ahead. We are having fun taking part in lots of different activities, including, drawing, painting, singing, dancing and construction, to name a few!

We want to thank all our parents for supporting their child to understand the importance of our new rules and routines.

10th September 2020

JUNIORS This week Year 3 were welcomed back to a very different looking Gulf English School. With keeping the children safe the school’s number one priority, staff have been busy making sure that each classroom has the correct social distancing measures put in place. All tables are 1.5 meters apart, book quarantine zones have been created in each classroom and a one-way system has been implemented in our corridors to ensure minimum contact.

On 1st of September, Year 3 were the first children to enter the juniors building and experience the ‘new normal’ way of learning! We had lots of fun within our classroom bubbles. We learnt as a class how to social distance effectively and were introduced to some new daily routines such as regular temperature checks and having break times in the classroom. We went on a social distanced walk around school and did fun and safe exercise routines in the classroom, to ensure we are still keeping active.

The students were also introduced to how the ‘blended learning’ will take place both in classrooms and online. Staff have been especially busy creating online content that mirrors the face-to-face lessons. We also took some time to reflect and discuss kindness whilst practicing mindfulness through meditation. It was a truly successful day and we are more excited than ever to begin the school year!

10th September 2020

SECONDARY One often wonders what life would be like at a snail’s pace, easy, gentle and without a care in the world.

With a long summer and little to keep everyone busy, life had slowed down for GES students because of the effects of the Corona virus lockdown. It was not the summer they had envisaged, back in the February.

Today, as the GES students arrived at the gates the pace was slower and the dress code had changed. Masks, gloves, hand gel, temperature checks and Ehthraz were the order of the day. The slow pace was extended as the students were guided to their classes while keeping 1.5 meters apart: single file and almost silent.

Excited faces hidden behind a veil of Corona protection showed their joy through their eyes and subdued voices. Friends longed to meet and hug in cultural glory but all was prevented for their own safety. Fewer desks, no lockers, no movement around the school isolated the students in their respective rooms.

Despite the Covid protection guidance, the students were excited to be back in school and amongst some of their friends and teachers.

School is now a new game! The rules have changed and the corridors have been adorned with floor markings for guidance, to ensure everyone follows the one-way system. Serious signs decorate the doors like guardians of the quarters which ensure students are in the full regalia of protection. The notice boards are complete with bright, exciting informative displays, but also there is Covid awareness all around.

The usual sea of faces no longer float along the corridors releasing their shrill shrieks or bold booming voices full of adolescent exhilaration. Echoes are still, while whispers gently float from the classrooms. Teachers swiftly navigate the school moving from room to room like ships in the night, focused, alert and armed to teach. The joy of school is apparent but subdued.

10th September 2020

CONTACT The Gulf English School PO Box 2440, Doha, Qatar Main School: Tel: +974 44578777 Main School: Fax: +974 44861256 Infant Unit: Tel: +974 44886791/90 +974 44886201/93 Infant Unit: Fax: +974 44876821

Email: info@gulfenglishschool.com

Website: www.gulfenglishschool.com