Al Sedra Newsletter 21

14th February 2019

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

14th February 2019

I.B. In this week’s blog, Rameen (who studies the IB in Qatar) shares her inspiring CAS experience of volunteering with orphans in Pakistan.

Why did you undertake this project?

“I’ve always seen children out on the roads when I’ve travelled abroad. Children that are abandoned, that are forced to fend for themselves and those that don’t have anyone to provide them with basic benefits. They are deprived of fundamental requirements such as education, health care, and they don’t have the privileges that normal kids do.

It has always been really tragic seeing helpless children and feeling incompetent. I always felt like reaching out to them, so this summer, I travelled back to my homeland, Pakistan. Before I travelled, I spoke to my aunt about visiting orphanages. Since she had previously volunteered at a few, and the orphanages were more comfortable. Despite the struggles to choose an orphanage, I finally decided to volunteer at Agosh Orphanage in Islamabad.

All the orphans were girls and their ages ranged from 4 to 14 years. It was really pleasing to see that these children were taken care of; they were surrounded by women that took care of them and protected them just like mothers would. These girls were also introduced to education in order to widen their knowledge and to become better equipped for a successful life.

The day was, and still is, unforgettable for me because I got the chance to spend time with many young girls. I was given the chance to assemble a group that helped me to organise activities for them, to create a special day for all of us, a day in which we created many memories. It was a learning experience for me as I had never been in charge of something so important before.

As the planning progressed we thought it would be best to have several stalls that would suit the range of the ages and keep them engaged. We had six stalls and I was in charge of makeup, because I love doing makeup. It also gave me the opportunity to get to know all of them individually.

Furthermore, it made me feel content that despite their back stories, the girls were still hopeful and their futures seemed very bright to me. It was amazing to see how, despite being put through so much, these kids are still filled with love and happiness. They taught me to appreciate my family and my life as well.

However, as my trip came to an end it was very difficult to part from them because I had been extremely lucky to get to know the girls. Despite having only been given a short amount of time to connect with the girls I had achieved my primary goal. It was to remind the girls that people still care about them and that they will never be forgotten. I’ve always had everything that I need in my life, but these kids had been abandoned or did not have anyone that could afford to care for them. This encouraged me to appreciate all that I have and to extend my aid in whichever form necessary.”

Would you recommend this CAS experience to others?

“I would definitely recommend this to everyone. I believe that this is the best form of giving back to the community. These children are the core of the community, just as they are our future.

Funding and assisting them with education and other basic necessities which they have been deprived of is a duty that we should all fulfil. I was fortunate enough to experience such intelligence by children that have been neglected and rejected.

I hope everyone can experience the company of these wonderful children as well and appreciate the beauty of them.”

14th February 2019

P.E. Athletes at GES Fight On The GES PE Department and athletes have been very busy with the Schools Olympic Program (SOP), QUESS League and the Sheikh Faisal Cup. Between the start of January and the end of February, we will have had over fifty fixtures, three sports days and a fitness week for the whole school, and a sports event of regional significance. Our students should be congratulated for their involvement and performance in all of these activities… the PE Department would also like to thank parents, colleagues and the school for their support in making all of this possible.

Hundreds of GES students have competed in a variety of sports and have also been busy training for upcoming competitions. As ever, there have been highs and lows, but overall it is proving to be a very successful season. The girls and boys in both the junior and secondary schools have been competing in football, basketball and shooting. They’re also preparing for fencing, athletics and taekwondo. Alongside this, many students continue to take part in recreational sport. In particular, volleyball is proving to be a firm favourite with students between Years 7 and 11.

SOP Girls Basketball The Preparatory Girls Basketball team is now through to the third round of SOP. Their road to this stage of the competition has seen them take part in some exciting and contentious games. The girls in this category are highly competitive and our Prep team have dominated the competitions all the way. It has been almost impossible for our opponents to put up a single point against our girls; their strength confirmed with their last 35-0 win against Doha American Academy. Of course, the next round of games will be much tougher… but we’re ready and looking forward to the challenge.

Well done, to the Prep Girls Basketball Team; they have been excellent competitors thus far, and have also had great support from their peers.

SOP Boys Football In football, the Primary Level 1, Primary Level 2 and Secondary Boys Football teams all made it through to the third round of SOP. This is actually a first for each of these boys’ teams, so we are already pleased with the progress the boys have made this year. The boys are becoming increasingly focused and are starting to better understand how to apply their skills in competitive situations. Their involvement in the QUESS League is giving them more game experience and we are starting to see the benefit of this. Sadly, the Level 1 and Level 2 teams went out at the end of the third round… we’re looking forward to the Secondary competitions though, as we are confident that the Secondary boys have a good chance of progressing even further. They demonstrated that they are ready to go to the next level with their latest wins… 4-2 v The Canadian School, 4-1 v The Lebanese School and 2-0 v The American School!

SOP Boys Basketball Also through to the third round of SOP are the Primary Level 1, Primary Level 2 and Secondary Boys Basketball teams. Again, this is the first time GES have had three boys’ teams though to this stage of the SOP basketball competitions. We are particularly proud of these boys as we have not had the opportunity to train as we would have liked, however; they have played intelligently and in a focused manner. They have learnt to look for and utilise side-line feedback to improve and develop their gameplay whilst actually playing. Their ability to ‘play smart’ has helped them progress this far.

They will now need to be consistent in their attendance and effort at the team practices to be able to take their performance to the next level.

14th February 2019

P.E. QUESS Boys Football The Under 14’s Boys team have had an excellent start to their season. They opened with a 9-0 against Al Khors, while the Under 12’s B team kicked off with a 2-1 win against Qatar Academy Wakra. A great start for the boys… their games will be played out before the end of March.

The Sheikh Faisal Cup 2019 At the end of January, the PE Department once again organised and ran the Sheikh Faisal Cup at Al Garaffa Sports Club. This was a two-day football festival for boys between 8 and 18 years old. Over the course of the event, more than 500 children from international schools all over Qatar joined us for two fabulous days of football. More than 70 games were played, many of which were quite intense. The boys from all of the teams showed that this event matters to them and they fought hard for each and every win. In the end, GES teams placed in four out of six categories… a very successful tournament for the Department and a very successful tournament for the teams.

Equestrian News The GES riders have also been busy taking part in the Hathab show jumping and dressage events hosted by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Federation and at the newly launched competitions at Al Samriya Equestrian Centre at Sheikh Faisal’s Farm. I n the show jumping, Saoud al Kuwari Y10 and Tamim Al Thani have been regular competitors.

In the dressage, Saoud Al Kuwari Y10, Tamim Al Thani Y10 and Mohammed Al Thani Y11 have participated and given excellent performances. At

the most recent Al Samriya event, Tamim Al Thani and Mohammed Al Thani placed first and second respectively in their dressage sections. Well done, boys… you’re an excellent example of how physical activity can be integrated into your personal lifestyle and your social activities. Not everybody is interested in team sport and traditional athletic activities; these boys provide a great example of how you can be active in other ways and establish an independent and sustainable exercise routine.

Still to come this month - SOP Girls and Boys… athletics, fencing and taekwondo. Also, Sports Day for the Junior and Secondary Schools and Fitness Week for Infants.

To stay updated with the latest sports news, follow us on Twitter @gesdoha_PE Mrs. Rebecca Cruickshank Head of Physical Education

14th February 2019

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