Al Sedra Newsletter 2019/20 Issue 27

26th March 2020

WE THE GULF

ARE ENGLISH

ONLINE SCHOOL So let's go!

26th March 2020

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Dear Parents, ďżź Following yesterday's update regarding Cambridge international exams being cancelled, Edexcel have also now announced ALL international GCSE and AS exams will be cancelled. All exams have now been cancelled.

No exams will be taking place and there is still no clear indication how qualifications will be awarded, therefore: Students are still expected to access the virtual learning platform on Microsoft Teams and Firefly.

Teacher assessment and student engagement from the past two years may be taken into consideration.

Students need to ensure all coursework and externally assessed work needs to be handed in on time so teachers can assess the pieces of work.

Teachers will continue to cover the content of the course to ensure engagement from students. ďżź As we stated yesterday, we recognise the hard work students are putting into to prepare for exams. The exam boards do not want to disadvantage students when awarding qualifications and certificates, so it is vital teachers can gather more evidence to support students. We will update you once we receive more details from exam boards.

We wish the best outcomes for our students and will work continuously for them. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Leadership Team

26th March 2020

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Dear Parents, We hope you and your family are well. Firstly, we would like to thank you for your continued support during this unprecedented situation. We would also like to thank you for all your positive feedback given through our parent survey on our distance learning system. We have reviewed the feedback and taken action to alleviate some of the problems you have communicated to us.

From today we have instructed our dedicated teachers to reduce the amount of tasks being issued on Firefly. This is to enable our students to access a more streamlined curriculum and to support you in helping your child succeed. Please note that lessons will continue to follow the timetables issued previously as live lessons will continue. However, some of these lessons will now be modelling lessons or question and answer sessions without tasks attached to them.

Furthermore, where possible we will reduce the amount of printed material needed to complete tasks. Your child will be encouraged to answer questions on their Firefly task page. This may not always be possible as some tasks will require your child to physically handwrite answers to build up their fine motor skills and practice their handwriting.

In addition to this, to help you locate the correct tasks on Firefly so that you can follow the timetable all task titles will be formatted like the example below: Title Formatting – “date (dd-mm)”, “period (P_)” “(time(hh:mm))” “Subject-Topic title” For Example: 22-03, P2 (09:30) Maths-Addition using column method 25-02, P6 (11:00) Using connectives Moreover, your child’s work will be marked and feedback will be given up to three days after the task has been set. The task will then be archived to reduce the content of your child’s task page, so that active tasks are more visible.

Again, we would like to thank you for your hard work and support in ensuring your child is accessing and completing education during this difficult time. Our team of teachers are here and available to offer any support required. Please do not hesitate to contact them.

Yours faithfully, GES Leadership

26th March 2020

INFANTS Al Sedra March 2020: Infants music Pre-school has been exploring the world of minibeasts linked to their IPC topic 'The Brilliant Bug Ball'. They have loved singing 'Incy Wincy Spider, Bees Go Buzzing and Ants Go Marching' but their favourite song was 'Green Grasshopper, Hop, Hop, Hop.' They have enjoyed singing and have love colouring pictures of grasshoppers and butterflies and sending back their amazing work on Firefly. Not only have they enjoyed listening to rhymes, but they have also listened to short stories, and a particular favourite is 'Caterpillar Shoes,' where a kind caterpillar gives away all his shoes before becoming a chrysalis.

Reception students have been exploring different sound sources. They have learnt about repetitive sounds by watching steam machines and automaton toys and imitating the sounds. Reception students have also enjoyed learning about the sounds that farm animals make by going on a virtual visit to a farm. They are currently singing songs about things that grow in the garden and the minibeasts that live in this habitat. They are currently working on a story called 'Mixed-up Chameleon' by Eric Carle, and have made the most beautiful pictures of the chameleon.

Year 1 have been learning about high and low sounds by listening to the traditional story of 'Jack and the beanstalk'. Following on from this, they have enjoyed playing a game to show their understanding of high and low sounds. Year 1 have also learnt 'The Three Bear Chant', with Papa Bears low voice; Mama Bears medium voice and Baby Bears high voice. It seems that the most enjoyable part of the learning has been a clapping game to 'Miss Mary Mack'.

Year 2 have been learning about tempo and dynamics. They have created sound effects for a visit to the 'Hairy, Scary Castle' and recorded their performances. This was so much fun! Year 2 have recently been listening to Indian music on the sitar and tabla and took a virtual journey through Africa to listen to the drumming. One of the activities completed as part of online learning was to colour a picture of a Djembe drum.

Children have adapted remarkably well to online lessons. I am so pleased to receive videos and photos of singing, movement and chanting. Well done to all of you!

26th March 2020

JUNIORS This term in music, year 3 have been focusing on time. We have looked at different rhythms and patterns. This has been a fun and exciting unit of work to do with the students as they have been using many different instruments and have developed new skills. During their online learning lessons, year 3 will be learning how to read and understand music notation.

The year 4 students have been developing knowledge and understanding of music for the cinema.

We have been exploring a short clip from a 'Tom and Jerry' episode. The students have enjoyed this unit because they have been using different instruments, and they have been making up music to complement the video. During this unit of work, all students were able to experiment with new instruments. During the online learning lessons, year 4 have also been learning how to read and write music.

In year 5 all students have been working on an inspiring soundscape scheme of work. This has allowed them to work in teams to recreate a particular atmosphere from a decided location. The year 5 students have enjoyed getting outside and recording their sounds in groups, developing their music technology skills. As we are now learning virtually, all students are individually creating their own soundscape.

Year 6 have had the opportunity to explore musicals and drama in detail this term. We have been looking at the tools of an actor and how we can use them in our own performances. The year 6 students have engaged with this unit and enjoyed acting out short scenes in their groups. During the online learning lessons, all year 6 students will develop their knowledge in music theory.

26th March 2020

SECONDARY Greetings to all our parents and students, from the Business Studies and Travel & Tourism Department.

We are now approaching the end of Term 2; which has been quite challenging term due to school closure because of the Co-vid 19 virus. However, this situation has allowed the teachers and students to participate quite effectively in Online Learning, facilitated through Microsoft TEAMS and the school Firefly platform.

Numerous lessons have been uploaded via video links and live Webinar chats with students, on a daily bases. The innovative approaches of many of our teachers has allowed students learning to continue, quite effectively, away from the classroom environment and in the comfort of the students’ own homes.

The students have not been complacent in the completion of daily academic challenges set by the teachers. To be particularly commended are the Year 11 and 12 students, who are currently preparing for possible summer examinations, and a great number of our students continue to work towards this eventuality.

Although some planned trip events, like marketing and promotional projects that will look at tourism in Doha and the surrounding areas, may be postponed, it is hoped that many such events may be rescheduled for the months ahead.

Regards.

Mr. Lloyd Thompson Head of Business/Economics/Travel and ICT Department.

26th March 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