KGIS Weekly Newsletter 7 March 2024

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

Despite the rain we have had a packed week at KGIS as we celebrated Book Week, which culminated today with our World Book Day celebrations! It is always a highlight of the year to see the students sharing their love of reading The parade this morning saw a huge range of creative costumes on display and we look forward to sharing pictures with you in next week's edition! Thank you to Ms. Kate, Ms. Alex and Ms. Naveen, and their teams for organising such an exciting week.

On Monday we saw the triumphant return of our U11 Sports squads back from their visit to Al Ain to compete against some of the best schools in the Middle East at the BSME Games Amongst the range of medals, the team returned with the prestigious BSME Fair Play Award for demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and behaviour across all events. I am hugely proud of all the students who participated, and of the growing reputation KGIS is gaining for Sport! Thank you to Mr. Sean, Mr. Robert, Ms. Erne and Ms. Dagmara for their excellent coaching and dedication to ensuring that our teams continue to grow.

Thank you to all parents for your support once again this week as we faced more heavy rainfall and unusual weather patterns We hope that this is the last of the rain! Thank you to all parents who encouraged their children to complete the online learning activities provided in Google Classroom. After trialling live learning via Google Meets for older students, we will roll this out for all students in Grades 3 to 12 should there be any future need to close in an emergency. Google Meets can be easily accessed via Google Classroom, and students can simply click the 'Meet' link provided by the teacher to join the class.

Finally, we expect that the Holy Month of Ramadan will start next week Once the official announcement is made we will switch to the Ramadan hours outlined in the newsletter below, and will notify parents of this. We have a fantastic programme of events taking place to celebrate this important month and I encourage all parents to join in as many events as possible by clicking the links below to register their interest!

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend!

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Tuesday 12 March: Henna appointments for Ramadan (KGIS Year of Giving - sign up below)

Wednesday 13 March: KGIS Mother & Toddler Group (12:30pm)

Wednesday 20 March: KGIS Community Iftar (6:00pm)

Sunday 24 March-Tuesday 26 March: KGIS Workers Iftars

Thursday 28 March: Last day of Term 2

Sunday 31 March-Thursday 11 April: Spring Break (school closed)

Sunday 14 April: Start of Term 3

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

Learning Overviews

Clickonthelinksbelowtoaccessthelearningoverview,homelearningexpectationsand assessmentdatesforeachgrade:

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

The Holy Month of Ramadan at KGIS

This year we are focusing on our 'KGIS Year of Giving'. This is particularly fitting as we approach the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan. For Muslims, Ramadan is considered one of the most blessed months of the year. This is due to the revelation of the Holy Qu’ran to the Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). The Holy Month of Ramadan provides an opportunity for Muslims around the world to reinforce their faith in Allah through the process of self-purification.

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, many members of our school community will fast, will engage in more prayers and acts of worship, and will spend more time with family to strengthen and unify these relationships. Ramadan is a time where we should be more concerned about the needs of others Sharing meals and giving to charity are encouraged as some of the most beloved deeds to Allah that Muslims desire to be accepted by Him.

Fasting, praying and giving during the Holy Month of Ramadan should not affect our daily activities. They mean a greater effort to perform all the usual duties and more. It is important to remember that this holiest of months is like an intense ‘training period’ for life. The intention is not that we fast, pray and give only during Ramadan, but that these are behaviours that we demonstrate throughout our lives.

This month at KGIS, we will be encouraging all students and families to think about our value of benevolence and how we can give back to our local and international community. As such we will be promoting the following charitable activities in order to raise money for local and international charitable causes including the Oman Charitable Fund and our mosque building project in Senegal, and we thank you all in advance for your support of these

Ramadan Food Boxes for the Needy

Parents who wish to donate Ramadan food boxes to needy families in the local community now have the convenience of being able to order and distribute their food boxes directly through the school! The boxes will contain essential non-perishable food items and are available at cost of RO 12 each As well as helping local families in need, a proportion of the income from the food boxes will be donated to our local and international charitable causes.

As a school we will distribute the Ramadan Boxes to underprivileged families and groups in the local community during the week commencing Sunday 10th March Please click this link to pre-order your Ramadan boxes no later than Thursday 7th March.

Henna Appointments for Ramadan

On Sunday 10 March, we are providing the opportunity for parents to take an appointment at the school to have their Henna decorations done for Ramadan with a local Henna artist Prices start from RO 5 for hand decorating and a detailed price list with options will be shared. Please click here to register your interest for an appointment. Income from the Henna appointments will be donated to our local and international charitable causes.

The Holy Month of Ramadan at KGIS

Sponsorship of Items for Senegal Mosque Building Project

After Eid, our Construction Engineer Mr. Syed is travelling to Senegal in order to supervise the first phase of the build for our mosque project. As such we are inviting parents who wish to give Zakat and contribute to sponsor individual items that are required for the mosque. These include lights, wall tiles, carpet, air conditioning units, ceiling fans and more Please click here to register your interest in sponsoring an item A complete list of items required will be sent to parents who register interest.

Orphanage Shoe Box Appeal

Students across the school are invited to donate shoe boxes filled with clothes, toys and small gifts for local orphans to be donated during the week commencing Sunday 10th March The items in the shoe box should be new and students must mark the shoe box to show whether the gifts are intended for a boy or girl. They should also indicated the age of the child the gifts are intended for. Homeroom Teachers will be collecting the boxes over the next two weeks and House Points will be awarded for the House that donates the most boxes!

KGIS Workers Iftars

Following the great success of our Workers Iftars last year, the Student Council will once again be preparing and serving an Iftar meal to 50 workers based in the local community each evening during the week commencing Sunday 24th March In order to support this fantastic student initiative, we are asking parents to consider if they would be willing to prepare and donate a dish for up to 50 people on one evening. This could be an appetiser (samosas etc ), a main dish or a dessert If you would be willing to contribute a dish, and would be happy for the Student Council to contact you, please click here and complete the form.

KGIS Community Iftar: Wednesday 20th March

We are pleased to invite families once again to our KGIS Community Iftar on Wednesday 20th March at 6:00pm. The Community Iftar gives us the chance to come together as a community to pray, celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan and break fast together with a lovely meal. The event will be sponsored by Azima Catering once again this year and we thank them for their generosity in preparing another amazing buffet for this event! The event is open to all KGIS families Tickets cost RO 3 for adults and RO 1 5 for children and all proceeds will be donated to our local and international charitable causes. If you would like to join us for the Iftar, please click here to obtain your places as soon as possible. We hope to see lots of you attend!

School Hours during Ramadan

We expect the Holy Month of Ramadan to start on Monday 11th March. Once the start of Ramadan is officially announced, we will inform all parents and will operate amended timings for the school day during the Holy Month. The timings of the school day will be as follows:

KG: 8:15am-11:50am

Grades 1 & 2: 8:15am-1:15pm

Grades 3-12: 8:15am-1:45pm

Parents are asked to drop their children at school no earlier than 7:50am, and no later than 8:15am The school bus service will operate with amended timings as per the above. Please note that the morning pick up will be approximately one hour later than normal during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Please also note that there will be no before or after school extra-curricular activities during the Holy Month of Ramadan During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the school will operate designated fasting and non-fasting areas at break and lunchtimes. Students will be able to pray during the school day and take part in daily group prayers under the supervision of the Islamic Studies Department

Extra-Curricular Activities

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.

BSME U11 Games in Al Ain

In an exhilarating showcase of talent and sportsmanship, our U11 students recently embarked on a journey last weekend to Al Ain to compete in the prestigious BSME Games 2024. The event brought together young athletes from various British Schools across the Middle East, to compete in Athletics, Swimming, Football, Netball and Basketball.

Our U11 athletes made waves in the swimming pool, securing an impressive 6th place overall. The team's standout performers included Wathiq Mbaye, Mohammed Mbaye, Oscar Simpson, and Matvei Kudriashov, who collectively contributed to a commendable medal haul, showcasing their dedication and prowess in the pool

The KGIS team also left their mark on the track and field, finishing 8th overall. Tia Shaar clinched a bronze medal in shot put, while Ahmed Al Busaidi displayed remarkable speed, earning a bronze in the 75m sprint. These achievements underscore the team's commitment to excellence and determination to succeed in various disciplines

The Boys' Football Team exhibited skill and determination, reaching the semi-finals and ultimately securing a 4th place finish, whilst narrowly missing out on the podium.

The girls, too, shone brightly in Netball and Football, putting on a display of resilience up against tough competition. Their spirited efforts on the court demonstrated not only their athletic abilities but also their commitment to representing our school with pride

The pinnacle of recognition came in the form of the BSME Fair Play award, a prestigious honour bestowed upon the school that exemplifies the best sportsmanship and behaviour across all events. This accolade is a testament to KGIS and the ethos of the entire U11 team, emphasising fair play, respect, and camaraderie.

Our team have returned to Muscat bringing with them memories of fierce competition, remarkable achievements, and the spirit of fair play. Their accomplishments in the competition serve as a source of inspiration for the entire school community, highlighting the importance of dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to our young athletes on a successful journey at the BSME Games 2024! Click here to see the video of highlights from the competition!

Nautilus Invitational Swim Meet 2024

Extra-Curricular Activities

Last weekend, while our BSME sportsmen and women were competing in Al Ain, some of our swimmers stayed in Muscat to attend a Swim Meet in Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. This was the biggest meet to date and it saw some of the strongest swim teams from across the Middle East in attendance Swimmers from the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Oman competed for the medal positions. The two-day meet was a tough one – the swimmers spent many hours by the pool and battled not only a stiff competition but also the cold weather.

Congratulations to all swimmers that took part and a huge well done to all of our medal winners!:

Amir Marvarov, Grade 4 (Boys 10 and under)

50m Fly Bronze

Anella Sharaf, Grade 7 (Girls 11-13)

50m Fly Silver

Jahongir Marvarov, Grade 9 (Boys 13-14)

200m Fly Silver

200m Breast Gold

400m IM Gold

1500m Free Silver

Lily Simpson, Grade 8 (Girls 13-14)

50m Breast Bronze

200m Breast Bronze

Nizar Sharaf, Grade 9 (Boys 13-14)

200m IM Gold

50m Back Bronze

400m IM Silver

100m Fly Bronze

50m Fly Silver

Shihab Al Ismaily, Grade 9

400m Free Bronze

Inspired Forte Music Programme

Extra-Curricular Activities

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

Inspired Summer Camps

Inspired Global Camps, a tailored option for every child

Extra-Curricular Activities

Watch our YouTube video here!

Our summer camps give students the chance to stay at some of Europe's top boarding schools and take part in programmes delivered by world-class partners. It is an opportunity to travel, meet peers from other countries and get involved with inspiring activities, learning new skills that will stay with them forever. For more information, please click here.

KG Update

KG News

This week the children enjoyed getting creative with decorating their classroom doors as part of our Book Week celebrations. The children enjoyed using a range of materials and tools to create some fantastic art work! Through these activities the children were engaging their fine motor skills which help them to navigate and explore the world with confidence and independence. The KG children have really enjoyed commenting on the classroom door decorations and celebrating each other’s creativity.

Please note that due to a shortened day during the Holy Month of Ramadan, KG children will be served one meal during the school day instead of two as during normal times. This will be a substantial snack in order to ensure children have enough to eat but also that we avoid food wastage.

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

Primary News

As we prepare for the Holy Month of Ramadan, please take the time to inform your child’s Homeroom Teacher if your child will be fasting Our catering team will arrange meals for non-fasters so we need to know the correct numbers in order to avoid food wastage. Parents of students in Grades 1 to 4 should message the Homeroom Teacher on Class Dojo to inform them of any fasting plans

Over the past two weeks, we have looked at some of the issues facing our children online in the form of Roblox and Discord. Many of our children tell us that they enjoy playing games on their Nintendo Switches, PS5’s, Xbox and laptops. This, when done with time limits and with age suitable games, is perfectly fine and harmless. However many students say that they play games that are rated for older ages or play online with friends and sometimes strangers. Only recently, I spoke with a child who told me his favourite game on PS5 was the popular 'Call of Duty' series This is a combat game which is only suitable for adults over the age of 18 due to violent, graphic and inappropriate content. Equally many children play the FIFA series of football games which is more often than not, played with others online making it almost impossible to vet or monitor who your child is playing with

Below are outlined some of the main reasons that monitoring and moderating the game content accessed by children is important:

Exposure to Inappropriate Content:

Many online games contain violence, explicit language, or other mature themes that are not suitable for young children Exposure to such content can desensitise children or cause them emotional distress

Online Predators:

Online gaming platforms provide a virtual space where strangers can interact with children. Predators may use these platforms to groom, manipulate, or exploit young players.

Cyberbullying:

Just like on social media platforms, online gaming communities can be breeding grounds for cyberbullying. Children may encounter harassment, insults, or other forms of bullying from other players.

Addiction and Excessive Screen Time:

Excessive gaming can lead to addiction and interfere with children's schoolwork, sleep patterns, and social lives It's crucial to establish healthy screen time limits and encourage a balance between online and offline activities.

Privacy and Data Security:

Online gaming platforms often collect personal information from players, including their age, location, and gaming habits. Children may unknowingly share sensitive information, putting their privacy and security at risk.

Impact on Physical Health:

Prolonged gaming sessions can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to health issues such as obesity, eye strain, and musculoskeletal problems.

Grades 1 & 2

Primary News

This week we have taken a special focus on our Arabic and Islamic lessons as we prepare the children for the Holy Month of Ramadan

The lantern is one of the most important manifestations and symbols of the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is one of the sources of joy and happiness for adults and children and creates excitement for everyone to welcome the Holy Month. For this reason, Grade 1 students made traditional lanterns to welcome the Holy Month and they enjoyed learning about the importance of that symbol of a lantern means to Muslims.

Grade 2 students were preparing in a different way for Ramadan and spent time learning and practising their prayers. During lesson times, the children were also spending time learning the rules of the road and they had great fun applying their knowledge in the playground!

Grades 3 to 5

Primary News

Children in Grades 3 to 5 also spent time this week learning about and preparing for the Holy Month of Ramadan. They designed and created intricate lanterns and will proudly display them in their classrooms and homes. Grade 5 students learned about the history and story of Ramadan and incorporated it into their Arabic writing lessons this week Artwork detailing the Holy Month was created to accompany their writing and will be displayed in the children’s classrooms.

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

Secondary News

I would like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to our Grade 11 and Grade 12 A Level students on receiving their results this week. It is important to note that these results are just part of the foundation students are building. There is still time to further positively impact students’ overall performance and grade with the May/June exam series It is important that students use these exam results positively and build upon their learning to maximise their potential. Myself and Mr. Tom, along with subject specialists will be on hand to answer any questions and provide advice.

Our talented BSME squad deserve special praise and recognition following an immensely successful trip to compete in the U-11 BSME Games in Al Ain! Competing against the very best athletes in the region, our squad brought back a record haul of 11 medals. We are very proud of the squad and a special thanks to our wonderful PE team who have put in endless hours training and preparing the team

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan, I extend heartfelt blessings to all our school families. May this sacred time be filled with reflection, joy, and spiritual growth for each household. We have thoughtfully curated a series of events throughout Ramadan, and I encourage all parents to actively engage and participate in these enriching experiences Together, let us create lasting memories and foster a sense of community during this blessed month.

Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up Arrangements

Please be reminded that for the morning drop-off to school, all Secondary students must be dropped off at the back of the school The front of the school and Main Entrance is only for Primary students Secondary students who are dropped off at the main entrance will be asked to walk to the back of the school to enter the school building. This is to ensure that traffic flow is as smooth as possible.

Furthermore, I would like to also remind parents that all students should be picked up from the Car Park in the afternoon Grade 6 to 8 students finish class at 2:40pm, whilst Grade 9 to 12 students finish at 2:50pm It is not permitted to pick up students from the front or side of the school building.

Uniform Reminder

I would like to remind you again that students need to come into school in the full uniform. Key elements of the uniform include the wearing of plain black shoes. If a student has PE, they can bring a change of trainers with them. Furthermore, it is not permitted to wear hoodies. There are school jackets available to purchase in the school Uniform Shop If students comes into school wearing a hoodie, Homeroom Teachers will ask them to take it off and the hoodie will be confiscated. I really appreciate your support.

Revision Tip - Using Flashcards Effectively

Secondary News

Simply put, recalling information from memory is simple and powerful. Retrieval practice is a learning strategy which makes you think hard and brings information to mind. It is the action of actively retrieving knowledge that boosts learning and strengthens memory. It means trying to remember previously learned information as opposed to simply re-reading it. It builds confidence over time and allows you to identify gaps in your knowledge. Examples include:

Knowledge quizzing, low stakes testing and multiple-choice tests

Completing past paper questions or practice answers.

Answering verbal questions asked by teachers/peers/parents.

Summarising, creating flashcards or revision materials where you can ‘test’ yourself.

One particularly effective strategy is the creation and use of flashcards. Flashcards are generally a card containing a small amount of information on either side as an aid to learning The use of flashcards is for low stakes testing to improve recall and to strengthen memory. An effective flashcard may include the following (in each subject they will be used in a different way):

A key term/key word with definition on the back.

A key date with the event on the back

A key equation with its use in practice on the back.

A past paper question/plan and a model answer on the back.

In order to use flashcards most effectively, the Leitner System is a desired strategy for spaced testing Once you have created a set of flashcards, create three boxes/areas marked as the following:

Test yourself on the flashcards in the Box 1 pile. If you get the answer correct on the flashcard, move it to the Box 2 pile If you get it incorrect, it stays in Box 1

Twice a week, test yourself on the flashcards in Box 2. If you get the answer correct on the flashcard, move it to the Box 3 pile. If you get it incorrect, it stays in Box 2. The aim is to get all of the flashcards to Box 3.

Subject Spotlight: English

Secondary News

It has been an extremely busy yet exciting couple of weeks in English. Not only have we been building up to Book Week and World Book Day on Thursday 7th March, but students have enjoyed some highly interactive projects and events.

Grade 6 students enjoyed combining the tasks of entrepreneur and persuasive writer as they took part in the Dragon’s Den challenge The objective of the task was clear: to craft persuasive speeches advocating for their inventions, employing various techniques such as direct address and rhetorical questions to captivate the audience and the judges alike. Each student meticulously prepared their presentations, complementing them with visually appealing Google slides featuring catchy images, keywords, and subheadings. Throughout the event, the Grade 6 students demonstrated remarkable poise and engagement, making direct eye contact with the audience to ensure their message was effectively communicated The presentations were evaluated by our dedicated judges, Ms Katie, our SENDCo, and Ms. Aisha, our languages specialist, who had the challenging task of selecting the standout performances. Third place went to Retaj Al Mahruqi and Chagla Kara for their invention, "Show Up," a pair of spectacles designed to reveal germs, promoting safety and hygiene.

Rafia Fawad and Iris Fecani claimed second place with their "Sleep and Snooze Kit," offering a comprehensive solution to insomnia with a variety of resources for peaceful sleep.

The coveted first place was secured by Bylsan Al Shibani and Rhiannon Harthorn for their creation, "Neckby," an unbreakable necklace designed to withstand the playful tugs of infants, providing mothers with both style and functionality Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and bravery in presenting their invention!

Grade 7 students at our school have embarked on a mission to combat the global pollution crisis by creating innovative environmental robots. Drawing inspiration from the film 'Wall-E', where a robot protagonist cleans up a desolate Earth, these students have unleashed their creativity to design robots with a similar purpose: to protect and restore our planet.

Their task was twofold: invent a robot that addresses environmental issues such as air pollution, recycling, ocean clean-up, or reforestation, and then persuade others of its significance through persuasive posters and speeches. Using techniques like direct address, alliteration, and rhetorical questions, they crafted compelling arguments for their inventions, emphasising the urgency of environmental action. Their posters succinctly conveyed the purpose and effectiveness of each robot, while live presentations allowed them to showcase their ideas to a diverse audience. With confidence and conviction, they shared their vision for a cleaner, greener future, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Grade 8 students participated in an engaging event called ‘The Talking Museum’ as part of their English curriculum. This activity, designed to enhance their persuasive writing skills, required students to research a prominent figure from history and deliver persuasive speeches advocating why their chosen individual was the most significant Despite feeling nervous, the students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Dressed in costumes representing their selected historical figures, they demonstrated remarkable effort and dedication. It was particularly impressive to see many students opt to memorise their speeches, showcasing their commitment to excellence. During their speeches, students skilfully employed persuasive techniques such as direct address and rhetorical questions to

Secondary News

captivate their audience. The presence of parents as live spectators added authenticity and meaning to the event, providing students with a real-world platform to showcase their abilities. After careful deliberation, the Grade 8 English teachers, Mr. Mike and Ms. Bianca, selected the deserving winners. In Mr. Mike's class, Hind Al Khanjari received first place for her compelling portrayal of Martin Luther King, a renowned American political leader Fatimah Ismail secured second place for her portrayal of Marie Curie, the pioneering Polish physicist.

From Ms. Bianca's class, Salman Farsi claimed the first-place spot for his portrayal of Schuyler Wheeler, an American electrical engineer known for his innovative inventions. Mohammed Al Zubaidi earned second place for his portrayal of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone Congratulations are extended to all the participants for their outstanding performances. Their demonstration of courage, confidence, and persuasive skills is truly commendable, and they should take immense pride in their accomplishments.

School

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

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