KGIS Weekly Newsletter 7 September 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

As I highlighted in the newsletter last week, 2023-2024 is our ‘KGIS Year of Giving’ Our Islamic value of the month for September is ‘benevolence’ and this week in our assemblies we have been thinking about being generous and kind to those less fortunate than ourselves. Goodness is the only investment that never fails and as we serve others, we are working on ourselves. Helping others, showing kindness and generosity promotes positive emotions, happiness, satisfaction and gratitude

I have been talking to students about our commitment to raise money to build a mosque in Africa. As a school community our goal is to raise an ambitious OMR 35,000 for this important project! For Muslims, the act of building a mosque for the sake of Allah is a deed that will bring great rewards, both here and in the afterlife.

ﺔﻨﺠﻟاﻰﻓﺎﺘﻴﺑﻪﻟُﷲﻰﻨﺑﺮﻐﺻأوأةﺎﻄﻗﺺﺤﻔﻤﻛﻪﻠﻟاﺪﺠﺴﻣﻰﻨﺑﻦﻣ،لﺎﻗﻢﻠﺳوﻪﻴﻠﻋُﷲﲆﺻِﷲلﻮﺳرنأ،ﮧﻠﻟاﺪﺒﻋﻦﺑﺮﺑﺎﺟﻦﻋ

Great acts are made up of small deeds and I have challenged every single student in the school to raise OMR 10 during the month of September. Every small amount will help us to reach our goal and we thank you for your support! We are also calling on parents and families to help us reach our goal If you would like to make a donation towards the building of the mosque, you can do this online by clicking here.

Together we can achieve anything! Wishing you all a restful weekend!

Ms. Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Tuesday 12th September: Primary Parent Workshop for Mathematics (8:00am and 5:00pm)

Wednesday 13th September: Secondary Parent Workshop for Mathematics (8:00am and 5:00pm)

Thursday 14th September: KG Parent ‘Meet the Teacher’ (1:00pm)

Monday 18th September: Parent ‘Introduction to IGCSE’ Evening for all grades

Tuesday 19th September: Primary Parent Workshop for Science

Wednesday 20th September: Secondary Parent Workshop for Science

Wednesday 27th September: Parent Workshop for University and Careers Guidance

Thursday 28th September: New Parent Picnic (3:30pm)

Sunday 1 October: World Grandparent Day

Wednesday 4th October: Parent Workshop for Supporting Special Educational Needs

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

a-Curricular Timetable for this term

Extra-Curricular Activities

Our programme of extra-curricular activities will start from Sunday 17 September 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. If your child would like to participate in a particular activity, please complete the sign-up forms as follows. All activities are offered on a first-come, firstserved basis and we ask that you sign up no later than Wednesday 13 September:

KG and Primary Students should click here to register for an activity

Secondary students should click here to register for an activity

Swimming Lessons for Grades 1 to 9

This term all students in Grades 1 to 9 will have swimming lessons as part of the PE curriculum. Swimming lessons will take place during the school day, and students will need to bring their swimming kit on the correct days. Please click the links below to read the letter from Mr Sean, Head of PE that outlines what students should bring, and the days/times of the lessons for each grade:

Grades 1 and 2: click here

Grades 3 to 9: click here

BSME U13 Football Tournament in Qatar

We are very pleased to announce that we have been given entry to the BSME U13 Football Tournament that is taking place in Doha in November. KGIS students will have the opportunity to compete against student from other top schools around the Middle East. Students who are interested in being part of the squad are invited to attend football trials on Sunday 10 September from 3:00-3:45pm. The trials will be followed by a parent meeting providing more information about the trip Please click here to read the letter from Mr Sean

BSME U11 Games in the UAE

We are very pleased to announce that we have again been given entry to the BSME U11 Games that is taking place in the UAE in March 2024. KGIS students will have the opportunity to compete against student from other top schools around the Middle East in swimming, football, athletics and basketball. Students who are interested in being part of the squad are invited to attend squad trials on Sunday 10 September and Wednesday 13 September from 3:00-3:45pm. Please click here to read the letter from Mr. Sean.

KG Update

It was lovely to see new and old students join our KG classes this week and I am sure that the boys and girls all had a great time as they began their learning journeys. It is fantastic to see the children back with us playing, learning and discovering!

We often reflect at this time of year on how we can support our youngest children as they adjust to school life. The most important thing for all children is maintaining a solid routine. This means that meal times should fall at the same times each day Children should arrive at school having eaten a balanced and nutritious breakfast, and most importantly having had a good night's sleep. KG children are in school at 7.30am each morning - an early start. This means an early night is paramount to their success at school during their action-packed day!

For three to five year olds, a bedtime of 6 30pm to 7 30pm is highly advised Studies show that a lack of sleep can have a serious impact on attainment in school so ensuring that your children have an early night and sufficient sleep will really benefit them academically and socially.

We wish you and your children the very warmest wishes and best of luck as we begin the new school year Here is a small selection of photos showing some of our KG children busy at play in their classrooms this week!

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

Wishing you all the very warmest of welcomes back to school as we have well and truly begun our new academic year!

It was brilliant to see all of the students returning after their summer holidays last week, and hear their stories about trips to Salalah, Dubai, Thailand and City Centre Mall! I know after a summer of having your children at home that you will appreciate the hard work done by our teachers every day during term time!

It was also great to see all of our new faces joining in the Primary Phase and I want to send a message of welcome and support to our new families across the school. It is often as hard or harder for you as parents to watch your little ones go off on a new adventure but you can rest assured that they are in the best possible hands with us here at KGIS.

I would like to commend the children on their manners, behaviour and punctuality this past week as we got back into our routines. Being on time for school will be a huge focus for us this year and I would ask that parents join us in making sure that your children are in school no later than 7.35am each morning, well rested and in their full uniform.

Uniform guides were sent to you in your Summer Packs. Please be reminded that non-uniform jackets and coats are not allowed and shoes must be plain black Boys can wear their white polo shirts with navy trousers or shorts whilst girls can wear their white polo shirts with either a navy or tartan pinafore, skirt or trousers.

This week we had our English Primary Parent Engagement sessions which were very well attended. Next week on Tuesday 12 September, Ms. Denise will lead an engagement session on how to support your child’s learning in Maths. Two sessions will take place, one at 8:00am and the second at 5:00pm in the KG Hall. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend!

On a final note, I wish all of our teachers, teaching assistants and support staff the very best of luck in the year ahead. I am confident that our team will continue to deliver outstanding education for all!

Grades 1 & 2

In Grade 1 we discussed how we are similar and different. We talked about our skin, eyes, hair and other features that make us unique The children enjoyed drawing a self-portrait of themselves and coloured using pastels. We also learned about starting our names with a capital letter and enjoyed making a collage of our names. This was added to our self-portrait and we made a lovely display in our classroom. The children enjoyed finding letters in the sand and used a support mat to write the corresponding capital letter as a fun way to support this learning.

Primary News

Grades 3 to 5

This week, our Grade 3 to 5 students were able to get involved in choir practice as well as auditions for this year's musical theatre production, “Matilda: The Musical.”

The students had a great time with Ms. Katherine, Mr. Alec, Ms. Jo and Ms. Sarah and I am sure we will be lucky enough to see and hear them sing lots over the next few months! Drama and Music are a great way for your child to practise their English speaking skills. They also help to develop confidence and increase self-esteem. Participating in the Performing Arts also helps children to make friends outside of their immediate class and grade group achieving a higher sense of belonging to the school community

Secondary News

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we begin another academic year at KGIS, I extend my warmest greetings to you all. I am thrilled to welcome you all back to what promises to be an exciting and enriching year ahead!

School Timings and Uniform Policy:

Just a friendly reminder that school timings for Grades 6 to 8 are from 7:40am to 2:40pm, and for Grades 9 to 12, from 7:40am to 2:50pm. Punctuality is of great importance to us, so please ensure that your child arrives on time to make the most of their learning journey. Moreover, we kindly request your support in adhering to our uniform policy, with special emphasis on the correct uniform attire, including plain black shoes A gentle reminder that hoodies are not a part of our uniform!

Celebrating Outstanding Achievements:

I am delighted to share our heartfelt congratulations to our Grade 12BD students, our A-Level students, and our IGCSE students for their outstanding performance in their respective exams Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder of your accomplishments. So far, fifteen of our Bilingual students have been offered scholarships and we are anticipating even more scholarship offers from our ALevel students. KGIS graduates have taken up offers from top universities in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. This success is not just a testament to your abilities, but also to the support of our dedicated educators, the enduring support of your parents and the KGIS community as a whole

Embracing the KGIS Year of Giving:

Looking forward to the year ahead, I am excited to introduce our focus for this academic year: the 'KGIS Year of Giving.' As a community, we believe in nurturing not only academic excellence but also a spirit of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility Throughout the year, we will engage in a series of charitable projects aimed at enriching our students' holistic education. I'm particularly thrilled to share that our endeavours will culminate in the construction of a mosque in Senegal, a symbol of our commitment to making a positive impact on a global scale. Our purpose at KGIS is to ‘Every child has the confidence to be pioneers of their own future’. We want KGIS graduates to be the change they want to see in the world!

Parent Engagement Sessions:

Education is a collaborative effort that involves not only our dedicated educators but also you, our valued parents. With this in mind, we are excited to announce our series of upcoming Parent Engagement Sessions These sessions are designed to provide you with key insights into your child's learning journey and equip you with effective strategies to support their growth both academically and emotionally. Through these interactive sessions, you will gain a deeper understanding of our curriculum, teaching methodologies, and ways to create a nurturing environment at home that complements their educational experience. The session schedule can be found in the ‘Key Dates’ section on Page 2 of this newsletter We look forward to seeing as many of you attend as possible!

Secondary News

Anticipating an Exciting Year:

The start of each school year always brings with it a renewed sense of enthusiasm and possibility. I am thoroughly looking forward to partnering with you again as we guide and support our students through their educational journey. Together, we will create an environment where curiosity is nurtured, talents are honed, and character is developed.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and growth of your children. Here's to a fantastic year of learning, exploration, and giving back!

Teaching and Learning: Science Spotlight

Students in Science have had some very exciting experiences this week in class!

Grade 6 students had a messy but fascinating experience as they made their own slime. Their creativity shone as they crafted a diverse array of slime variations, all while using essential science equipment. It's equally important that they simultaneously learnt about safety protocols, instilling responsible scientific practices from an early age. This holistic approach to hands-on learning not only sparks enthusiasm but also cultivates a profound understanding of both the fun and responsibility inherent in scientific exploration.

Grade 11 AS Chemistry students explored the topic of Carbohydrates. They constructed the structures of three essential monosaccharides, allowing them to explore both the 2D and 3D shapes of these fundamental sugars. This interactive learning experience not only deepened their understanding of Chemistry but also sparked their curiosity about the building blocks of life. This immersive exploration of monosaccharides provided students with a unique opportunity to grasp the intricate molecular world.

Secondary News

Grade 12 students conducted experiments to study Centripetal Force They explored the force's mathematical aspects and practical applications. This hands-on Physics experience improved problem-solving skills and deepened their understanding of this fundamental concept. Their experiments included measuring the force required to maintain circular motion and analysing its relationship with speed and radius This practical approach enhanced their quantitative skills. It's evident that these Grade 12 students are developing a strong grasp of Centripetal Force, a crucial concept in Physics, as they meticulously follow scientific procedures and draw meaningful conclusions from their data.