NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ian Rinaldi, Head Of Elementary It has been a very exciting few weeks at Hamilton. The students have come back reenergised after the half term break and have immediately returned to their classrooms with determination and enthusiasm. Our School Leaders have spent a lot of time in classrooms, not just supporting students with their learning but observing teachers deliver amazing learning experiences. The high quality of teaching across the school is very clear, with students continuing to work in their ‘struggle zone’, participating in engaging activities pitched at their ability. We continue to ensure our teaching and learning principles are instilled in all lessons and high standards are maintained, focusing on essential ingredients that contribute to great lessons, including: challenge, modelling, explanation and feedback. In addition to these observations, we regularly meet with every teacher as part of our Performance Management process; we specifically focus on learning and look at how we can get even better. It is apparent from these meetings and observations that we have an outstanding team working towards the same school vision: to ignite passion, purpose and potential. These experiences have formed the backbone for our internal staff training program and compliment the recent training we have carried out, focusing on subjects like Qatar history, live marking, and resource deployment.
We have outlined the future topics for our Parent Webinars which have been communicated with you; these are curriculum driven, focusing on IPC, IEYC, English, Maths, Languages, Assessment and Reporting. We are also carrying out a sessions to help deepen your understanding of our teaching and learning framework. The curriculum Entry Points and Exit Points have continued to provide amazing learning moments for students and we thank you, parents, for your support with these. We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day and thank you for taking a moment to thank your child’s teacher for the amazing work they do on a daily basis. We also wore pink to recognize cancer awareness as a school. Elementary Student Council – a group of students have been appointed to play a key role in our school, representing student voice and working with school leaders and teachers to contribute ideas to make our school even better. We are so delighted to announce that our Secondary students won the ISP reading challenge and that Virtual Buddy Exchange program has started. It has been a busy, yet exciting period.
Over the next few weeks, we are beginning our preparations for International Student Day, and National Day. We will also welcome ambassadors from Street Child United, who will share more information about the Street We have had successful Parent Webinars recently where we Child World Cup happening next October. We have exciting ISP school challenges coming up too, have led sessions on E-Safety, ‘Day-Boarding’ and including Mathletics and the Arabic spelling bee. Whilst Assessment. Our ‘Day-Boarding’ offering also provides us these events and celebrations are wonderful and provide with extra pick up and drop of points which is intended to exciting opportunities for your child, it is the daily teaching support you with parking congestion you may have and learning experiences that your child is receiving that is experienced. to be admired.
Early Years The children in Pre-KG brought their IEYC All About Me unit to a close with a special party celebration! During this unit, the children have enjoyed speaking about themselves and their favourite things! They have shared photographs of themselves as babies and have spoken about some of the amazing things that they are excited to learn now that they are at school. The children shared their favourite toys with their classmates and also discussed what it means to be a good friend. We are very proud of the amazing start that our youngest learners have made to their Hamilton journey. The party was a fantastic opportunity for the children to play their favourite games and to have lots of fun with all of the new friends that they made during the first half-term of school!
Our Pre KG children are exploring a variety of buildings in Qatar and have been attempting to recreate them using building blocks.
For Our KG1 Imagine that - Exit point, our black box theatre was turned into an art gallery, exhibiting artwork from every student. Our students were so excited to see their own work on display, and were very complimentary of the work of their peers. Can't wait to see more of your creativity KG1!
Over the past month, our KG1 children have been learning about various artists in IEYC. They created self-portraits which were inspired by Picasso’s Portrait of Dora Maar, painted, and drew shapes inspired by Kandinsky and Mondrian.
KG2 NATIONAL DRESS DAY For our KG2 IPC All About Me - Exit point, our students came to school dressed in the national dress of their country or the colors of their country's flag. This event demonstrated how wonderful it is to be part of an international family. The children enjoyed learning about their classmate’s cultures and traditions. Well done KG2!
For our Grade 3 Brainwaves - Exit point, Our pupils have been learning all about the brain. To celebrate our Amazing Learning, they joined together to showcase their skills and talents. From yoga to chess, painting to magic tricks, and mushrooms to cheerleading… we had it all!
Student Council At The Hamilton International School, we are proud to have pupil representatives from Grades 2 to 5 as part of the Elementary Student Council. It is a body that promotes and fosters voice, choice and agency across our student group. Pupils at Hamilton know that this is their school and their thoughts and ideas matter. The Student Council involves our pupils in important decisions about their school that directly impacts them. Class Representatives are nominated and voted for by their classmates based on merit and who they believe is the best person for the role. This year we have seen record numbers of children apply for the Student Council. The recent Election Day was a huge success, with a real sense of excitement and anticipation amongst the children. Equipped with their coveted Hamilton Elemntary Student Council badges, the class representatives are ready for an exciting year ahead!
For our Grade 4 IPC The Great the Bold and the Brave - Entry point, Students used recyclable materials to construct and recreate some of the most famous buildings from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
To conclude their Brainwave IPC Topic, Grade 5 showcased their amazing learning by planning and activities at the "Brain Spa". Students presented a range of brain training activities designed to challenge the many areas of the brain. They also shared strategies and exercises to improve brain development.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES As part of the International Learning Opportunities for students this year we are happy to launch the I am an ISP Scientist, the ISP Film Festival and an opportunity to learn from members of Street Child United (SCU). ISP Scientist: This unique opportunity enables ISP students to become citizen scientists and contribute to a real-world STEM research project mapping the journey of missing plastic waste. Key dates 10 December: Student registration deadline Feb - May: Workshops, project work & webinars 21 May: Deadline for submitting projects ISP Film Festival: Aspiring filmmakers are offered the incredible opportunity to take part in a filmmaking course with inspiration sessions from experts in the film industry. The four-month program culminates with the six winning films receiving amazing prizes at the Awards Ceremony. Key dates 2 December: Student registration deadline 24 January – 6 May: four-month filmmaking course 14 June: Awards Ceremony Street Child United (SCU): Street Child United (SCU) is the official charity partner of ISP. They do amazing work campaigning for the rights and protection of street-connected young people. ISP schools support and promote SCU’s work through initiatives to raise awareness, as well as fundraising activities. Key dates Throughout the year: SCU visits to ISP schools March: ISPxSCU campaign month
Cancer Awareness Month October, is well known as Cancer Awareness month, The Hamilton International School went all pink and red on the 21st, as staff and students only wore these two colors. . The school was decorated with pink and white balloons, teachers and staff also wore pink pins. Our entire community was reminded about the effects of this dreaded disease, and our students were dedicated to raising awareness about the subject.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Refer A Friend We recognize that parents and friends are the best ambassadors for our unique style of learning and community-minded environment. To thank you for every friend that you refer to Hamilton, you will receive a QAR 1,000 as reward this can be credit to use towards any school related cost or cashback by end of the academic year. Contact the Admissions Team for Terms & Conditions admissions@this.qa
ENQUIRE NOW