KGIS Weekly Newsletter 5th October 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

This month we are thinking about our Universal Islamic Value of courage. As I visited lessons and classrooms this week, I am reminded of the character and strength of our students, and the courage they show each and every day as they push themselves to try new things, take risks and navigate new challenges Demonstrating courage doesn’t always mean making a big gesture, rather it is about the small steps that we take that push us outside of our comfort zone and in turn help us to learn. For the child who is shy, it is taking the risk to raise their hand and speak in front of others. For the child who struggles with Maths, it is taking the risk to confidently volunteer an answer even though it may be wrong. For the child who is new to the school it is taking the risk to introduce themselves to a new group of friends We should all take great pride in the small acts of courage we demonstrate in our daily lives.

Encouraging our children to try new things and to not give up when something is a challenge develops their selfconfidence and resilience. The understanding that it is ok to make mistakes because this is how we learn, and creating an environment where children feel safe to make those mistakes without fear of being mocked or reprimanded is absolutely critical in securing not only academic success but success in all areas of life. This is something we constantly strive to achieve at KGIS where our learning is always focused on ‘next steps’ We encourage students to build a growth mindset and to reflect on their own learning journey by asking themselves ‘what do I need to do to get better?’ No matter where you are in your learning journey, you can always learn more and get even better.

What a privilege it is to lead such an extraordinary group of students filled with the passion, commitment, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and courage to take those next steps and grow. There is much to be proud of and much more excellence to anticipate. The future of KGIS is oh so bright!

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th October: KGIS Charity Night Market (5:00pm-8:00pm)

Sunday 22nd October-Thursday 26th October: Mid-Term Break (school closed)

Wednesday 1st November: Grades 9 to 12 Parent Consultation Evening (3:15pm-7:00pm)

Sunday 5th November-Thursday 9th November: KGIS Science Week

Wednesday 8th November: Grades 6 to 8 Parent Consultation Evening (3:15pm-7:00pm)

Sunday 12th November-Thursday 16th November: KGIS Anti-Bullying Week

Monday 13th November: Odd Socks Day

Thursday 16th November: Oman National Day celebration

Please click here to access the Academic Calendar for this academic year

Clickonthelinksbelowtoaccessthelearningoverview,homelearningexpectationsand assessmentdatesforeachgrade:

KG1 KG2

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

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

Sports Fixtures

U11 Girls’ Skittleball at Cheltenham Muscat: Monday 9th October

U9 and U11 Boys’ Benchball at ABA: Tuesday 10th October

KGIS Year of Giving: 5km Sponsored Swim Champions!

Congratulations to Yaseen Mbaye, Wathiq Mbaye, Muhammad Mbaye, Amir Marvarov and Hamad Al Farsi who completed their 5km sponsored swim today! The team stormed through their lengths of the pool in record time and triumphed in achieving their objective. They were supported by groups of enthusiastic fellow students who visited the pool area to cheer them on. To date, the boys have raised an amazing total of OMR 600, which has been donated to our mosque building project. Thank you also to Nautilus Swimming Club for their support in organising the event.

In support of the sponsored swim, students came to school in non-uniform wearing their favourite sports shirts. Each student donated OMR 1, and a total of OMR 510 was raised. So in total this single event has raised a fantastic OMR 1,110!! What a brilliant achievement!!

Any parents who would like to sponsor the students completin sorship amount by clicking here. Parents can also leave their names a onate.

KGIS Year of Giving

KG Update

What a fantastic week of learning and fun we have had in KG! The children all arrived happily and refreshed on Sunday after the long weekend. We are amazed at how well they have independently grasped routines, particularly in the mornings

This week in KG1 the children have enjoyed learning all about themselves, they painted some beautiful selfportraits and took the time to think carefully about which features they should add. We have had some wonderful singing of ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’!

The KG2 children have enjoyed starting the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. They have loved the sensory approach which their teachers have carefully planned, making ‘S’ shapes out of sssssspaghetti and forming the letters with dough These skills link in not only with phonics but also fine motor strength

Primary News

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

I am delighted to announce our Students of the Month for September as below. Student of the Month is a lovely way to celebrate the many successes our students have on a daily basis and each month one student in each Primary class will be lucky enough to be nominated for this award.

It is important to understand the criteria that teachers apply when selecting a Student of the Month. Whilst academics are a hugely important part of school life, they are not the sole basis for choosing our Student of the Month. Teachers take into account demonstration of our Universal Islamic Values, good manners, treatment of peers and adults, and displaying a positive and motivated attitude to learning I know you will join me in congratulating the students from each grade and I wish all children in KGIS the best of luck this year!

1A - Korkelmay Zholdas

1B - Malika Al Hosni

1C - Mayar Al Rahbi

1D - Mohammad Boamar

2A - Yaseen Faez

2B - Nehir Duru

2C - Amal Al Hammadi

2D - Mohannad Al Hinai

3A - Naaima Khawaja

3B - Musab Al Salmani

3C - Fatima Al Rahbi

3D - Adam Al Ghafri

4A - Zoha Hussein

4B - Saleh Al Amri

4C - Lamar Al Rawahi

5A - Wahtiq Mbaye

5B - Zane Haji Mohammed

5C - Fahad Al Sinaidi

Grades 1 and 2

Grade 1 have started to look at numbers in relation to others as part of their place value learning. We are starting to think about words like ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’ and what that means when we compare numbers as we move into our addition and subtraction learning This week Grade 1 have been thinking about one less and one more than a given number. We have been thinking about what numbers look like when subitizing and also how to make two-digit numbers and what each number represents

Students are building on our previous learning every day and as you can see we have a range of resources to help them visualise their understanding. Learning is differentiated for every student, so that they can be supported by an adult or work independently and with peers to meet their individual needs. Teachers can see students improving and taking small steps in their learning every week!

Primary News

Grades 3 to 5

Grade 5 students were learning about verbs in sentences They were given a challenge to write effectively using verbs in the Arabic language. They then had a Blooket competition in class to write the four most interesting sentences and to explain their understanding of the use of verbs in Arabic. This is very important work as it mirrors grammar lessons in English and helps to solidify the student’s understanding of verbs as well adjectives and nouns in both languages!

Primary News

World Grandparents Day at KGIS

Last Sunday we celebrated World Grandparents Day! We were very lucky to be joined by many of our grandparents as they visited the school to meet their grandchildren, learn about their school day and of course offer advice! If you would like to view photos please click this link.

Secondary News

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

As we transition into a new month and the temperatures start to cool, we are excited to introduce and celebrate a new Universal Islamic Value for the month of October - courage. At KGIS, we believe in nurturing not just academic excellence, but also the development of strong character and values in our students. Courage is an essential value that empowers our children to face challenges, overcome obstacles, and make positive contributions to society.

Courage can manifest in many ways, both big and small, within the school and beyond It takes courage for our students to stand up for what is right, to speak out against injustice, and to embrace diversity. It takes courage to take risks, to try new things, and to step out of one's comfort zone. By embracing courage, our students learn to face their fears, develop resilience, and grow into confident individuals.

Throughout the month, our dedicated teachers and staff will be incorporating the value of courage into classroom discussions, activities, and assemblies. They will explore examples of courageous individuals from history and highlight their inspirational stories. They will engage students in thought-provoking discussions about acts of courage in everyday life and encourage them to reflect on how they can demonstrate courage in their own lives. We also encourage you, as parents and guardians, to join us in fostering courage within our children. Here are a few suggestions on how you can support and reinforce the value of courage at home:

Encourage open communication: Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their fears and concerns. By actively listening and providing support, you can help them develop the courage to face challenges head-on.

Model courage: Show your child what it means to be courageous by sharing your own experiences of overcoming obstacles or taking risks. Your example will inspire them to embrace courage in their own lives. Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's acts of courage, no matter how small they may seem This positive reinforcement will encourage them to continue demonstrating courage in the face of adversity.

Teach resilience: Help your child develop resilience by teaching them problem-solving skills and the importance of perseverance. Encourage them to view setbacks as learning opportunities and to keep trying even when things get tough.

By instilling the value of courage in our students, we are equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and determination. Together, let's celebrate and encourage acts of courage within our school community and beyond.

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

I would like to remind you about the drop-off and pick-up procedures we have in place to ensure your child's safety. For the morning drop-off, all Secondary students must enter through the back of the school. Parents can drop off right outside the back door

For the afternoon pick-up, please note that all students will be accompanied to the Car Park and all parents should park in the Car Park. I would also like to remind you that the Main Gate will be locked from 2:30pm until 3:00pm so pick-up from the front of the school will not be possible.

Secondary News

Teaching and Learning: Creative Arts Spotlight

During the Caricature and Cartoon Art Unit, Grade 12 BD students have demonstrated their artistic versatility by exploring various mediums and techniques. They have skilfully utilized charcoal drawing to create bold and expressive caricatures, showcasing their ability to capture the essence of their subjects. Additionally, they have experimented with wax crayons to add vibrant colours and textures to their cartoons, bringing them to life. The use of pencil has allowed them to add intricate details and shading, while watercolour has added depth and dimension to their artwork. This unit has provided students with a diverse range of artistic skills and techniques to enhance their caricature and cartoon creations.

The assessment objectives for Grade 11 and 12 A-Level students in their Art coursework encompass a wide range of skills and techniques Through the exploration of different media and art techniques, students have been inspired by famous artists and art movements to develop their own unique artistic style. They have been encouraged to create personal art portfolios, showcasing their hard work, creativity, and growth as artists. These portfolios serve as a platform for students to reflect on their artistic journey and share their artistic achievements with others.