THE KNOWLEDGE
A Message from the Executive Principal
This week at KGIS we have enjoyed 'Robotics Week'! This is a very fitting focus in line with our school mission: 'Knowledge Gate International School believes the world would be a better place if every child has the confidence to be pioneers of their own future.'
Our mission as educators is to ensure that all students leave KGIS fully equipped for life in an ever-changing and complex world Robotics and computer science are integral parts of our daily lives, shaping various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and entertainment. Teaching these subjects in schools ensures that students are prepared for the increasingly digital and automated world they will live and work in.
Both robotics and computer science involve complex problem-solving tasks that encourage students to think critically and creatively They cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging students to explore new ideas, experiment with technology, and develop innovative solutions to real-world problems These skills are essential for fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in society. As automation and digitalisation continue to transform the job market, proficiency in robotics and computer science will become increasingly valuable for students entering the workforce. By learning these skills early on, students gain a competitive advantage and are better prepared for future career opportunities in high-demand fields such as robotics engineering, software development, and artificial intelligence
Perhaps most important of all is the fun and enjoyment experienced by students as they learnt how to programme their own robots! Thank you to our guest the award-winning and Master Lego Instructor, Mr. Vahid Jourabchi who kicked off the week in style with a great workshop, and thank you to Mr. Shahram, Ms. Indu and Ms. Kerrie for their organisation of the week.
Wishing you all a restful weekend!
P A R E N T N E W S L E T T E R 2 M A Y 2 0 2 4
Key Dates
Please make a note of the following important dates:
Monday 6 May: KGIS Community Fair (5:00pm-8:00pm)
Wednesday 8 May: Grade 6 to 9 Parent Consultation Evening (3:30pm-7:00pm)
Wednesday 8 May-Thursday 9 May: KG1 and KG2 Splash Days
Monday 13 May-Thursday 16 May: Class and Student Photos
Thursday 23 May: Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony
Sunday 26 May: 'KGIS Has Talent' competition
Sunday 26 May: LAMDA Drama Performance Evening
Sunday 2 June-Monday 3 June: KG1 and KG2 Parent Consultation Meetings
Tuesday 4 June: KG2 Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday 4 June: Grade 5 Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday 4 June: KGIS Student Awards Ceremony
Thursday 13 June: Last day of Term 3
Please click here to access the Academic Calendar for this academic year
Clickonthelinksbelowtoaccessthelearningoverview,homelearningexpectationsand assessmentdatesforeachgrade:
Grade 6
Grade 7
1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
KG1 KG2
Grade
Learning Overviews
KGISUniversalIslamicValueforMay: Equality
Extra-Curricular Activities
Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term
Extra-Curricular Activities
A reminder that our programme of extra-curricular activities has now started for all students. We have a huge variety of activities on offer before school, at lunch times and after school. There really is something for everyone! All activities are free of charge and students are encouraged to join as many as possible in order to broaden their skills. Please click on the link above to see the timetable of activities.
Rising Stars Concert at Al Bustan
Congratulations to the KGIS Choir led by Mr. Alec who performed at the Rising Stars concert held at Al Bustan Palace on Saturday 27th April. It was fantastic to see the choir perform on the stage at the Al Bustan Auditorium and even more fantastic that KGIS was one of the only schools represented at the event which celebrated musical talent from across Muscat! The Rising Stars event is organised by Tunes and Dar Al Atta in support of their 'Let's Read' programme, with all the proceeds being donated to this excellent cause The KGIS Choir did us proud with their polished rendition of 'Man in the Mirror', and they also took part in the joint finale performance of 'We are the World'. We were also proud that the concert featured a beautiful solo performance of 'Fernando' and 'This is the Life' from KGIS students Olivia and Lily Simpson. Well done to everyone who performed!
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KGIS Community Fair: Monday 6th May
Extra-Curricular Activities
Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term
Inspired Forte Music Programme
We are very excited to remind parents of this unique opportunity available for students who learn a musical instrument! This opportunity is only available to students in Inspired schools, and offers a series of private instrument lessons with a tutor from the Royal College of Music in London - the world’s number one music conservatory.
In partnership with The Royal College of Music in London, Forte has launched the Pathways to Performance programme exclusively for Inspired students. The programme offers a package of private lessons with otherwise inaccessible top music tutors, verified by The Royal College of Music, the world’s #1 ranked music conservatory. Every private tutor currently teaches at or has received music education training at The Royal College of Music, so they are not just excellent Royal College of Music musicians, but they have also been trained by the best in music teaching practice.
The programme caters to students at senior school level who desire to achieve advanced levels in their instrumental abilities and to those preparing for auditions or public performances. Upon completion, students will have the chance to get certificates of attendance issued from The Royal College of Music, further reflecting their hard work.
Further information can be found: https://fortelessons.com/inspired . The following video also offers more insight into the programme: Click here for video
Extra-Curricular Activities
Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term
Inspired Summer Camps
Secure your spot at one of the Inspired Global Camps this summer!
Watch our YouTube video here!
As we approach the summer months, we wanted to inform you that some limited spaces are left in our phenomenal global summer camps, which are experiencing high demand. Last year, we had amazing feedback from Inspired families, who decided to enrol their children, so we wanted to offer the remaining spaces to you first!
If you are keen for your child to join this July or August, we encourage you to secure your child's spot as soon as possible.
Whether your child thrives in academic pursuits, enjoys sports, or loves expressing themselves through the arts, we have something for everyone.
Even though spaces are limited, we continue to offer our exclusive Inspired 10% discount, applicable to each camp booking This is an opportunity not to be missed!
To secure your child's place simply visit our website or contact use the contact form to ask a question directly. We can't wait to welcome your child to a summer full of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories.
KG Update
KG News
This week our KG2 children were very lucky to engage in some mindfulness activities. They took the time to do the complete opposite of what they are used to and remained still! They enjoyed some time doing mindful breathing and yoga to become calm and totally zen! It was a lovely way to spend some time in the moment and they really enjoyed their mindfulness session.
In Maths lessons, learning was taken outdoors and our little learners were able to practically apply skills learned in the classroom in real life situations by measuring, counting, sorting and classifying. The children also enjoyed sensory activities using rolling pins and bags of cereal to roll out and flatten the cereal in the bags. This is a great way for children to develop their gross and fine motor skills through manipulation of the rolling pins but also the sensory feedback they experience through the crunch of the cereal!
A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary
Primary News
As the end of the school year is drawing nearer, children in Grades 2 to 4 have started preparing for their end of year assessments. These assessments will take place in the week beginning Sunday 13th May and all assessments will take place in lessons
Please check Class Dojo and the Curriculum Overviews for more information about which topics you can revise with your child to prepare at home. It is important to remember that assessment of learning takes place all year round and these final assessments are only one part of this process.
Please see some helpful tips below to support your child in their assessments as well as to help minimise any stress!
Encourage active learning: Ask questions, ask your child to summarise information in their own words, or to try teaching concepts to others (even their toys or pets!).
Take Breaks: Incorporate short breaks into study sessions to avoid burnout and maintain focus. For example, take a 5-10 minute movement break every 30 minutes of studying.
Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals, and engages in physical activity. A healthy lifestyle supports better concentration and memory retention.
Practice Regularly: Encourage regular practice of key skills, such as reading, writing, and maths. Consistent practice reinforces learning and improves proficiency
Use Technology Wisely: Utilise educational apps and online resources to supplement learning. However, ensure screen time is balanced and monitored
Reward System: Implement a reward system to motivate your child to study. Rewards can be simple, such as extra playtime or a small treat, and should be tied to specific achievements.
Review and Revise: Regularly review and revise previously learned material to reinforce understanding and prevent forgetting.
Encourage Questions: Foster curiosity by encouraging your child to ask questions about what they're learning. Exploring answers together can deepen understanding.
Stay Positive: Encourage a positive attitude towards learning by praising effort and progress rather than just results. Celebrate achievements, big or small, to boost confidence.
Remember, assessment in KGIS takes place all year round. Please encourage your child to try their best and show how great they can be!
Grades 1 & 2
During Robotics Week, Grade 1 embarked on their maiden voyage into the world of coding! They embarked on a journey to uncover the mysteries of what a coder or computer programmer does. With excitement buzzing in the air, children pretended to be robots and programmers, guiding each other around the room, experiencing firsthand the importance of clear instructions.
Soon after, they delved into the realm of coding blocks, arranging them like building blocks to guide a fish across a digital ocean. With each block placed strategically, our fish swam gracefully across the screen, following the simple instructions we had crafted.
Primary News
In this playful yet enlightening lesson, our young minds grasped the essence of coding: the art of giving precise instructions to make things happen. It was a joyous moment as we took our first steps into the captivating world of technology and innovation
Students in Grade 2 were treated by Ms Majda to an Arabic Phonics lesson with a difference They learned about their Arabic letter sounds via AI and were taken on a journey into the cyber world using Virtual Reality. This was a fantastic way for children to be immersed in their learning and just showed how Robotics Week was integrated into all subjects here at KGIS!
Grades 3 to 5
Primary News
Grade 3 have had a sporty few days! They have been learning tennis skills, practising the forehand hit and developing skills to hit different targets In their swimming lessons they are learning to be more confident in the water and are perfecting the freestyle stroke.
Grade 4 classes have enjoye term so far It has helped them to understand dilemmas and h racters further they did a role play activity between the two main char ing the characters as well as exploring direct speech. Children later drew e correct punctuation to show Mr. Evans and the boys talking to one anot
In Mathematics this term students have enjoyed learning about position and direction. They explored cardinal points and made their own compasses To remember where the direct cardinal points are they came up with a song and had a blast!
Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary
Secondary News
It has been another fantastic week here at KGIS with Robotics Week taking centre stage. The highlight of our celebration of all things robotics was the workshop put on by the award-winning and Master Lego Instructor, Mr. Vahid Jourabchi Students got the opportunity to witness the skills of Mr Vahid before putting their own skills to the test as groups of students competed to see whose Lego robot could be programmed to the most precise setting. Students were then given the chance to demonstrate their newly developed skills in all ICT & Computer Science classes as Lego robotics was the common theme in the Computing Department this week.
I would like to remind you of the Grade 6 to 9 Parent Consultation Evening which will take place on Wednesday 8th May. The meetings will be held from 3:30pm to 7:00pm (there is a break for teachers from 4:45pm-5:15pm). To ensure a smooth and efficient appointment booking process, we have implemented an electronic system using Google Sheets. Each teacher's Google Sheet has been made available on Google Classroom. You will be able to access these sheets and book appointments at your convenience. We kindly request that you make appointments for each of your child's teachers. If you have any queries regarding appointments, please feel free to email your child's subject teacher directly. Please note that each appointment will last for approximately five minutes. It is important to stick to this time and also to ensure you attend at your allocated appointment This time-frame allows for a focused discussion on your child's progress and any areas that may require attention. We strongly encourage both parents and students to attend these appointments together, as it fosters a collaborative approach to education and helps students take ownership of their learning journey. Having students attend with you will make the process even more beneficial. Please make every effort to attend the Consultation Evening and engage in meaningful conversations with your child's teachers We look forward to seeing you and to continuing to work together to support your child's academic journey.
As our IGCSE and A Level students embark on their examination journey next week, I want to extend my sincerest well wishes and encouragement. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this pivotal moment, and I have every confidence that you will rise to the occasion! These exams mark a significant milestone in your academic journey, and while they may seem daunting, remember that you are well-prepared and capable of achieving great success. Trust in your abilities, stay focused, and believe in yourself as you tackle each question with clarity and confidence. Additionally, I want to remind you that our teachers are here to support you every step of the way. If you find yourself in need of extra guidance or clarification during the exam series, do not hesitate to reach out. Whether it's for a quick question, a review session, or just some reassurance, our doors are always open to provide you with the assistance you need!
Subject Spotlight: ICT & Computer Science
Secondary News
As mentioned above, Robotics Week was a highlight on the calendar for our IT department this week. At the forefront of the festivities was a captivating workshop led by none other than Mr Vahid, a distinguished Lego Master whose expertise in robotics has earned him widespread acclaim. Mr. Vahid's workshop was a masterclass in robotics, offering our students a unique opportunity to delve into the intricate world of Lego robotics With his guidance, students explored the fundamentals of robotics design, engineering principles, and programming concepts, all while working hands-on with KGIS’ state-of-the-art Lego robotics kits. From building intricate structures to programming complex sequences, the workshop empowered students to unleash their creativity and push the boundaries of what's possible with robotics technology.
But the celebrations didn't end there! Throughout Robotics Week, all students had the chance to immerse themselves in the world of robotics during their regular ICT & Computer Science classes. Our commitment to integrating programming and robotics into the curriculum is rooted in the belief that these skills are essential for success in the digital age. By providing students with access to robotics Lego kits and incorporating robotics activities into their ICT classes, we aim to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
In our ICT & Computer Science classes, students were tasked with a series of hands-on robotics challenges designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. From navigating obstacle courses to completing complex tasks, students were tasked with putting their newfound robotics knowledge to the test in a series of challenges. It has been great to see so many students embrace new and challenging technologies and we hope to see more students engage in our weekly Robotics Club in the future.
Secondary News
We are proud to partner with Azima Catering to offer healthy, nutritious meals for all students. Please contact Ms. Amira at admissions@kgis-edu.com for any queries or requests relating to catering.
Click here to see this week's menu
School Catering Contact the School
For General Enquiries please contact the School Reception:
E: reception@kgis-edu.com T: 2407 3500 / 2407 3501
For academic or pastoral concerns and questions, please contact your child's Homeroom Teacher in the first instance via email
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is situated at the Main Reception and is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-3:30pm
Finance Office
The Finance Office is situated at the Main Reception and is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-3:30pm
E: finance@kgis-edu.com T: 2407 3517
Admissions
The Admissions Office is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-4:00pm
To see school fees and Admissions information please click here
E: admissions@kgis-edu com T: 2407 3504 www.kgis.edu.om