Al Sedra Newsletter 2020/21 Issue 8

29th October 2020

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

29th October 2020

WHOLE SCHOOL The world is using technology more than ever to cope with the challenges we are facing in 2020. From our Early Years students to Sixth Form, Information Technology is a crucial subject in preparing our students with the skills needed for the future. One of our curriculum topics taught frequently throughout the year refers to the vulnerabilities of technology. It is essential to remind our learners of the importance in using technology responsibly. Whilst we know the many benefits of technology, there are also dangers when not used correctly. Applications such as social media or online games can pose a threat to early development when children are not using this proportionally. We regularly inform our students that these should be done in proportion. Our parents have always been supportive of this message and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in this.

Here at The Gulf English School, we are also pioneering in the use of technology, using innovation to drive learning. In our commitment to ensuring our students achieve the very best, we are utilizing every available resource to break through barriers. Information Technology is a subject of great importance for our learners as we prepare them for tomorrow’s world. Whether you are ordering food or exercising in the park, technology has enhanced our lives to become more efficient and productive. These are the skills we develop in our learners and place greatest value upon so that they may become leaders of tomorrow.

29th October 2020

INFANTS

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) In Reception and Pre-school, Tapestry is as our daily online learning platform. Each day begins with daily Registration with the class teacher. During this time, the students have an opportunity to say good morning to their class and go through the timetable.

In Reception, every day, students who work online, access 2 LIVE lessons with Miss Akhtar, our online teacher, and 1 LIVE Arabic lesson with Ms Samar, the Arabic teacher. As learning to read is crucial in Reception, one of the LIVE sessions is always Phonics. The rest of the planned activities are prerecorded with Miss Akhtar modelling the learning and setting tasks for completion.

In Pre-school, students who work online access 2 LIVE lessons with the pre-school teachers and Ms Samar, the Arabic teacher, every day. The rest of our sessions are prerecorded to be viewed at a time convenient to you.

Tapestry is the assessment tool across Reception and Pre-school. When students work is submitted, the teacher can assess the work against the EYFS curriculum developmental statements where appropriate. All of the observations are added to the learning journey, which can be viewed by clicking on the observation tab. Parents and students are encouraged to submit video evidence as this can be used more effectively for assessment purposes.

Every Tuesday, each class has several LIVE sessions with their teacher. During this time the register will be taken and will also include a quick revision of skills (for example number, shape recognition) and some PSED and CL input such us taking turns to speak and answer questions. The last session of the day is a story or songs related to our current IEYC topic. Moving forward, we are planning on introducing a Class Assembly with Star of the Week certificate.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) In Year 1, Firefly is used daily as our online platform. As time has In Year 1, Firefly is used daily as our online platform. As time has progressed and students have become more aware of how to use a microphone appropriately, it has been fantastic in promoting participation. Students are encouraged to explain their answers and to contribute ideas. The students are all familiar with how the screen sharing feature helps to support teacher modelling and to share great examples of student learning The thing students have loved most is the structure of online learning, especially when it comes to online Tuesday. They know that this is Treasure Island Tuesday and look forward to a lot of their online time on a Tuesday being IPC based.

Moving forward as a year group, we are interested in incorporating Flipgrid into our teaching. We are also interested in incorporating Kahoot within our lessons, perhaps at the end of a unit for a fun review quiz.

In Year 2, Firefly is the platform used to deliver daily online lessons. Every day there is a morning registration session, which is an essential part of the day, as it allows the class the opportunity to come together.

Throughout the day and each day, the students have three live sessions; Arabic, English and Maths. During the most recent English and Maths lessons, the students have been using a variety of different tools to support their learning. They have used Flipgrid to record themselves retell the story 'Zeraffa Giraffa' using Talk for Writing actions and story mapping techniques, and have also developed their word processing skills by typing out their stories and answers on Firefly. The chatbox and hands-up features on Microsoft Teams has enabled students the opportunity to participate more actively.

29th October 2020

JUNIORS A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.’ Computing Programme of Study, DfE, 2013.

Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

At GES, we believe that Computing is an integral part of preparing children to live in a world where technology is continuously and rapidly evolving, so much so that children are being prepared to work with technology that doesn’t even exist yet. For this reason, we feel that it is essential that children are able to participate in the creation of these new tools to fully grasp the relevance of and the possibilities of emerging technologies thus preparing them for the world of work.

It is evident that the students at the GES have embraced and enhanced their computing skills during this pandemic and have adapted to the GES 'Blending Learning Curriculum' successfully, developing life-long learning skills and knowledge. Well done!

29th October 2020

SECONDARY In Key stage 3 students have been learning about topics related to e-safety, computational thinking and the environmental/ ethical impacts of computers. They will be due to complete an assessment in the coming weeks for this. Please encourage your child to use the tasks on firefly for revision of the current topic so that he/she can prepare themselves fully.

We have launched Computer Science for the first time this academic year. The year 10’s have been looking at aspects of Algorithms, Computer Architecture & Programming and will be moving onto Operating System this half-term. Here are some steps to take to ensure success in Computer Science: It would be beneficial for the students to utilize their free time effectively by practicing programming skills, a great book for beginners and experts alike is “Learn Python in one day and learnt it well”. Last but not least, students could also recap content we’ve covered in school.

I would like to introduce Mr Ahsan Shah, our new Computer Science teacher who has joined us this year.

29th October 2020

LIBRARY GES Library News Bin Omran- Infants- Primary- Secondary

November in the Library

Explore our Online Resources Link accessed through https://gulfenglishschool.follettdestiny.com/ Library Hours Place a Book Hold here https://gulfenglishschool.follett Library Contact Monica.Harris@GulfEnglishSchool.com Abdullaah.WayneGoodner@GulfEnglishSchool.com

29th October 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