Al Sedra Newsletter 2020/21 Issue 4

24th September 2020

WHOLE SCHOOL This week, our leadership team have been developing our school objectives for this year. During this time, we were able to reflect on our progress as a school community and how far we have come. Despite the challenges facing the world; our teachers, students, parents and support staff were determined with their unwavering commitment to move ahead. These moments act as a reminder, as to what it means to be part of The Gulf English School. As we approach our journey for the coming year, we prepare for the challenges which lay ahead. Despite the uncertainties within our current context, we move forward with the determination and commitment of our entire team. This year they will be tasked with pushing the boundaries for students to learn effectively online and face to face. We will be sharing our objectives with our school community in the coming weeks and look forward to your support in approaching our vision.

24th September 2020

INFANTS The Year 1 team have been so pleased to see our smiling students back in school finally. We have been so impressed by how quickly they have settled and how responsible they have been when following our new safety rules in school. It has been lots of fun both in school and online.

In Maths, we have worked with numbers to 10. We have looked at how these can be represented in a variety of ways and have enjoyed using lots of different materials, including rice and flour, to r epresent each number. Is this something you could try at home?

In Literacy, we have explored labels and lists. The students have understood how important their phonic knowledge is in supporting writing. We will continue to work on our phonic sounds throughout the year.

Ahoy matey! Shiver me timbers! We have started our IPC unit, Treasure Island. The students had a fantastic time at Pirate School, learning how to speak and act like a pirate. Just watch out parents that they don’t try to make you walk the plank!

We are so excited for the year ahead and cannot wait to see the work produced in school and online.

Great start Year 1! Keep it up!

24th September 2020

JUNIORS

Year 5 have completed their initial weeks of this academic year! Despite having to adapt to the ‘new normal’, they have shown some commendable flexibility in adapting to their new learning experiences! They have been revising the topics and concepts learnt last year and will now be using their skills to develop their knowledge further across many other topics. Here’s what Year 5 have started to learn about and will pursue this half term: In Writing, Year 5 have been introduced to ‘Diary entries’ and will be exploring their features whilst studying this half term’s text, ‘The Matchbox Diary’ in preparation for them to produce their diary entry. Year 5 have been very interested in discovering what is in store for them and cannot wait to put their pens to paper!

In their reading lessons, Year 5 will be investigating and applying various skills from their reading prompts ‘VIPERS’ (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explain, Retrieve and Summarise). They will learn new strategies and skills and develop those that they already have so that they can get the most from their reading.

In Maths, Year 5 will be exploring various aspects of place value which includes rounding and comparing numbers up to a million! They will also learn addition and subtraction strategies alongside enhancing their times tables knowledge and mental maths skills.

Year 5 have been excited to start learning about their new topic in IPC this half term – ‘Bake it’. In this learning journey, they will be identifying the various steps in bread production and the scientific processes involved.

Although Year 5 are adapting to many changes and may face challenges with their new way of learning, they have shown a very positive attitude and have persevered through their learning tasks– whether in school or at home. What a lovely start to the year ahead!

24th September 2020

SECONDARY Welcome back GES Geographers and Historians!

The Humanities Department hopes that you have had a good summer and that you are excited to learn new things in History and Geography.

All History and Geography lessons will be sent to you via Firefly, whether you are in school or learning at home.

History this term: Year 7 will be studying the Romans. We will be investigating the Roman Empire, the Roman lifestyle, how Romans interacted with different countries, as well as how the Romans had fun.

Year 8 will be studying the Stuarts. This includes investigating an attempted terrorist attack (The Gun Powder Plot) and the English Civil War.

Year 9 will be studying World War One. This includes investigating the causes of World War One, the battles and events of World War One, as well as what happened afterwards.

Geography this term:

Year 7 will be studying Hazards. This includes earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.

Year 8 will be studying Tourism and Population. This includes the growth of tourism, how it affects different locations and population growth and distribution around the world.

Year 9 will be studying Rivers and Coasts. This includes investigating the journey of a river, processes and features found in Rivers and at the coast.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thanks,

24th 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