KGIS Weekly Newsletter 7 December 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE PARENT NEWSLETTER 7 DECEMBER 2023

A Message from the Executive Principal It’s hard to believe that we are almost at the end of Term 1! This week we have enjoyed our first winter celebration as our KG students performed their Winter Concert. It is always a joy to see the enthusiasm and effort our youngest students put into their performances, and this one did not disappoint! It was also lovely to meet so many parents at the Craft Morning that followed the concert.

We are lucky to have the opportunity to see some of our Primary and Secondary students perform in their Winter Concert next week. Please do come along and support them on Wednesday 13th December at 5:45pm. This will be a great evening of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy together. Entry to the concert is free of charge but our Student Council will have a donation bucket on the entrance should guests wish to contribute to the charitable causes we are supporting this year.

Next week we will be sending home your child’s progress reports so that you can gain a deeper understanding of how they are progressing in their learning. As we are focussing on making our school more sustainable this year these reports will now be sent home electronically by email. Please keep an eye out for them!

Finally, the final day of term is Thursday 14th December. School will close early on this date. Please note that the pick up time for KG children will be 11:00am, and 12:30pm for Grades 1 to 12. Buses will run at these times for the children who normally take them.

Ms. Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates Please make a note of the following important dates:

Monday 11th December: Unsung Heroes Student Awards Wednesday 13th December: Winter Concert (6:00pm) Thursday 14th December: Last Day of Term 1 (KG finish 11:00am, Grades 1-12 finish 12:30pm) Sunday 17th December-Thursday 4th January: Winter Break (school closed) Sunday 7th January: Term 2 starts

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

Learning Overviews Click on the links below to access the learning overview, home learning expectations and assessment dates for each grade: KG1 KG2 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10

KGIS Universal Islamic Value for December: Solidarity

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.

KGIS Winter Concert: Wednesday 13th December, 5:45pm We are pleased to invite all our families to join us for our Winter Concert on Wednesday 13th December at 5:45pm.

This will be a fun filled evening of entertainment for the whole family! Come along and support our students as they perform a variety of music and songs. Entry to the concert is free of charge. Our Student Council will be collecting donations at the door for anyone who wishes to contribute to our ‘Year of Giving’ chosen charitable causes.

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

KG News KG Update Well done to our wonderful KG1 and KG2 children on their simply brrrrrrilliant performance this morning in the Winter Concert. They made their Mummies and Daddies, teachers and assistants very proud and sang like angels in English and Arabic!

This was followed by a Winter Feast and of course craft making with Mummies and Daddies. The children had a lot of fun and instead of snow covering the ground, we had glitter everywhere!

It is so nice to have parents join us for these events, we love to include you all when we can as we are all part of the same team with the same goal, ensuring that your child gets the best possible educational experiences whilst making lasting memories.

A very special THANK YOU to our teachers Ms. Jenny, Ms. Najat, Ms. Allison, Ms. Isobel, Ms. Aisha, assistants Ms. Maathir, Ms. Amina, Ms. Zainab, Ms. Fatima, Ms. Amani and Ms. Anta, and all our nannies and helpers who gave so much of their time and efforts to ensure that the concert was so well planned and ran smoothly.

If you were unable to make the concert, you can watch some of the highlights here!

Primary News A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary We have seen higher than usual levels of sickness in the Primary School and Early Years classrooms this month.

Please do not send your child to school if they have a fever, cough or flu-like symptoms. Sending your child to school when sick is not in anybody’s best interests as outlined below.

Preventing the Spread of Illness: When a child is sick, they are more likely to spread germs to their classmates and teachers. This can lead to an outbreak of illness within the school, affecting the health of many individuals. By keeping a sick child at home, you reduce the risk of transmitting the illness to others.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Some students or staff members may have weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to severe illness. By keeping sick children at home, you help protect these vulnerable populations from potentially serious health consequences.

Promoting a Productive Learning Environment: A sick child is likely to be less focused, lethargic, and unable to fully engage in learning activities. By allowing them to rest and recover at home, you give them the opportunity to regain their health and return to school ready to participate actively in class.

Reducing Disruption in the Classroom: A sick child in the classroom can disrupt the learning environment. Constant coughing, sneezing, or other symptoms can distract both the sick child and their classmates, making it challenging for everyone to concentrate on their studies. Keeping sick children at home helps maintain a more conducive learning atmosphere.

Caring for the Well-Being of the Child: Sending a sick child to school may prolong their recovery time and potentially worsen their condition. By allowing them to rest and receive proper care at home, you contribute to their overall well-being and ensure a quicker and smoother recovery.

Thank you for your support as always.

Grades 1 and 2 Grade 1 has been having fun completing a lot of different space activities this week! They were learning how to act as an astronaut and to orally make a sentence about what they saw in space. They used a box as their rocket and telescopes to help them imagine what they would see if they were in space. In Science, the children are learning about the training that astronauts have to complete. The children completed an astronaut workout and they also were testing their fine motor skills by completing tasks with bags on their hands to simulate what astronauts have to do wearing their space gloves! This week we have also been painting our paper mache planets. As always, the children are working very hard on their phonics and improving their reading. They really enjoy their time visiting the library!

Primary News

Grade 2 students explored the power of an empty number line while adding multiple numbers as a dynamic tool to help establish addition and subtraction skills. The visual representation enhances conceptual understanding and fosters a deeper connection to mathematical concepts.

Primary News Grade 2 have been honing their instructional writing skills by putting their own jackets on and off. This emphasises and reinforces each step taken to complete the task. The students are now able to write clear and engaging instructions containing imperative verbs and time connectives.

In PE, Ready! Steady! Go! Grade 2 are learning the benefits of keeping a steady pace when running. Mr. Rob and Ms. Dagmara put them through their paces!

Grades 3 to 5 Grade 4 students were learning about their home country in Arabic Social Studies lessons. They were identifying the cities and Wilayats on the map and then drawing and labelling them into their own maps in their notebooks.

Primary News

Our Key Stage 2 students are taking on the challenge of mastering the concepts of perimeter and area. From calculating the distance around a shape to measuring the space inside, they're learning to apply these skills to realworld scenarios. Keep an eye out for their practical applications of these mathematical principles! #MathIsFun #PracticalMathematics

Over in our Science labs, our Key Stage 2 students are diving into the fascinating world of particle theory. They're uncovering the building blocks of matter and exploring the properties of particles. Get ready for some mindboggling experiments and discoveries as they unravel the mysteries of the universe! #ScienceExploration #ParticleTheory

Secondary News Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary With just one week left to go of term, it is great to see so many events taking place at KGIS. This week, I am delighted to share the recent success of our Geography field trip to Al Mouj, where our students engaged in an immersive experience focused on the Human Geography element of their IGCSE course. This excursion allowed our students to delve into effective traffic management strategies. Through real-world observation and analysis, they gained invaluable insights into the practical applications of traffic management, enhancing their understanding of this crucial aspect of Geography.

On another exciting note, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the KGIS Peer Reading Programme! This initiative sees senior students lending their support to their junior peers to enhance their reading skills. This collaborative effort not only fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy among our senior students but also provides invaluable assistance to our younger learners, aiding in their reading development. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this initiative blossom in the future.

As we approach the final week of this term, we have some exciting events lined up. Next week marks the inaugural KGIS Unsung Heroes Awards on Monday 11th December at 2:30pm in the KG Hall. This is a celebration of the remarkable efforts and contributions made by our students behind the scenes. This event is designed to shine a spotlight on those who demonstrate outstanding dedication, kindness, leadership, and support within our school community, even when their actions might not be immediately visible. It's a celebration of the unsung champions who embody the values we cherish at KGIS! Throughout the academic year, these Unsung Heroes have been the driving force behind various initiatives, events, and acts of kindness, going above and beyond to make our school a better place. By recognising their often unnoticed yet invaluable contributions, we hope to inspire and encourage others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a culture of kindness, compassion, and active participation within our school community.

We're also excited to invite you to our Winter Concert on Wednesday 13th December at 5:45pm. Join us for an evening filled with delightful performances showcasing the talent and dedication of our students. It promises to be a memorable event that celebrates the spirit of the season and the incredible musical achievements of our students.

Lastly, a gentle reminder of the significance of attendance during the concluding week. Students from Grades 6 to 10 are scheduled to undertake the Star Reading Assessment on Wednesday 13th December. This assessment serves as an important tool to gauge their progress and identify areas for growth. For our senior students, this final week presents a crucial opportunity to collaborate with their teachers before the upcoming exams in January. Active participation and attendance will greatly benefit their preparation for these assessments.

Thank you for your continuous support and involvement in your child's educational journey at KGIS. Together, let's make this final week a rewarding and impactful experience for our students.

Secondary News Subject Spotlight - Humanities Subjects Our Grade 10 Geography students completed another important part of their Field Work requirements. This is their second trip in a number of weeks and it is great to see these students get the opportunity to put into practice what they have been learning about in the classroom.

The Grade 9 Psychology students recently delved into the world of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a cornerstone in understanding human behaviour and thought patterns. Applying their theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, these students engaged in role-playing exercises that simulated real-life situations.

Through these immersive role-playing sessions, students honed their skills in identifying and addressing cognitive distortions, while also mastering the art of reframing thoughts and behaviours.

This hands-on approach not only solidified their understanding of CBT principles but also equipped them with valuable problemsolving and interpersonal skills, laying a strong foundation for their future academic and personal growth.

It was also fantastic to see our Peer Reading Mentors begin to help our junior students in their reading. This is a wonderful initiative which has been an exceptional addition to our school's support system. Witnessing these mentors assist our younger students in their reading endeavours has been truly heart-warming.

School Catering 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

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