Al Sedra Newsletter 14

13th December 2018

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

13th December 2018

BIN OMRAN We have all had a fantastic first term in Reception!

Now that the weather is cooler we are investigating our outdoor play area and developing our knowledge and friendships through using all the new resources that are now available.

We have taken part in some special days and weeks in this first term. Spooky carnival was great fun and Week Without Walls saw us exploring outside school together.

We all hope Term Two is just as fantastic!!!

13th December 2018

INFANTS Infant Art: Art is included in our curriculum for the benefits it brings to child development and learning. We know from research and experience that Art helps children understand other subjects such as Science, Maths and languages. Art nurtures skills such as self-discipline, self-motivation, problem solving and critical thinking. These skills in turn help students make sense of human experiences.

Our motto that ‘every child is an artist’ helps our students to develop self-esteem and self-worth.

Art forms part of our IPC curriculum at GES. This term, Year 1 has looked at different artists from around the world, exploring different countries and cultures. The focus has been on colour, texture, tone and brush techniques. The Dutch artist Vincent Van Gough was a particular favourite - students examined his use of paint and brush strokes to create textures.

These are a few examples of our amazing creations.

13th December 2018

JUNIORS The Importance of Play Play is one of the most essential aspects of early childhood. Through play, children develop their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional communication skills.

Free play (where children are given the choice to choose how and what they play) is often one of the most underrated aspects of play. For example, role playing not only allows children to use their imagination, but also allows them to learn the acceptable norms and values of their society, as well as the acceptable pathways of communication and interaction with other children.

‘Child driven’ play gives children to the opportunity to develop their:

• independence,

• decision making skills,

• discover their own interests, which may very well differ to those of their peers, siblings and parents;

• and to challenge themselves and discover new strengths.

Play is also fundamental to academic learning. Children who are engaged in the classroom through play based activities absorb and retain the information far better than children who simply read information from a text book. This is not to say that reading is not important, merely that young children learn better through play. For example, children are more likely to learn and remember the times tables if they play games where they have to challenge or beat their peers, as compared to simply learning them by rote.

Lastly, play is fun. Children need the space to be children and enjoy themselves.

13th December 2018

JUNIORS Year 3 hosted a Rainforest CafĂŠ to end our IPC Topic on Rainforest, we have learnt about the different products that can be made using items from the rainforest and each class chose to make something to sell at our CafĂŠ. Students from Year 5 were invited to come to buy as well as look at some rainforest projects the students have been creating over the past few weeks. It was a great success all round and we raised over 1,000 QR which is going to the Rainforest Alliance Charity.

13th December 2018

JUNIORS On Thursday 6th December, students from Year 4 were invited to watch a dog display, hosted by Lukwhiya. Animal Awareness is the focus of this month’s Service Learning and Year 4 have participated in many different activities which have given them a greater insight into how special and important all animals are.

A show for both young and old, the special security dogs amazed us all as they took to the Astro Turf to demonstrate all of the special things that they are trained to do. From bag searches to helping to catch thieves, the wonderful dogs never ceased to astonish us throughout their whole display. Some lucky students were even invited to take part in competitions against the fantastic dogs.

Here’s what some students from Year 4 had to say about the show: “I saw how strong the dogs are. I thought it was amazing how the dogs can sniff out criminals! I also saw a dog that can stand on two legs.” Seif, 4MU “The dogs were amazing! It was so much fun to watch. The dog made a man do a back flip. It was so cool.” Rashid, 4MU “I thought it was funny when the dog slapped the man on the face and I was really amazed when children beat the three strong police dogs.” Esra, 4MU “My favourite part was when a dog made a man do a front flip when he was trying to catch him! It was very funny! I thought that the show was hilarious. I enjoyed it a lot.” Leen, 4MU “I saw lots of fun things, I loved it! It was great.

Thank you so much.” AlMaha, 4MU

Overall, the show was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. A special thank you to all the teachers in GES for organising it.

13th December 2018

SECONDARY After a marathon first term, the students managed to get to grips with their lessons and topics. The school has been a hive of activity, with various events taking place, but the students soldiered on. Photographs, assemblies, rewards, the annual library trips, the police dog show, football and basketball have been part and parcel of school activities.

The English Department also have a live author visiting the school soon, and the students are as excited as the teachers. Stephen Davies will grace us with his presence in a few days. He is the author of teenage books but loves to encourage all types of readers to enjoy reading. Whilst at GES, he will deliver a workshop and activities for the students.

Signed books will also be available to buy on the day.

As we head towards the end of term, Key Stage Three students have completed their exam and are still studying the ends of their topics. The teachers continue to keep students engaged with a range of activities to keep them motivated. Currently, the Year 11 students are busy taking their mock exams which are crucial for them. Their results are their key to sixth form collage at GES or elsewhere if they so choose. The students change each year but we hear and see the same conversations about studying all night, not enough sleep, not revised enough and the need to pass the exams. The fact that the students are so motivated to study and do well is very encouraging.

Importantly, we all know school does not end after the exams. It continues till the last day of term.

GES is a forward thinking school and plans ahead for the inevitable in order to help our students.

The transition experience for our current Year Six students will begin on Thursday 16th December when they will travel to the Secondary school to experience some lessons for the day. Both the Maths and English Departments are looking forward to welcoming our potential students for the next academic year.

Miss Maz Rubbani

13th December 2018

THANK YOU

13th December 2018

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