KGIS Weekly Newsletter 18 May 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

Dear parents and carers

Our Universal Islamic Value for the month of May is 'Trust' This is such an important value for all schools, which are built on a strong foundation of mutual trust. We are very grateful that as parents you trust our professionalism in teaching, guiding and supporting your children each day. You trust us to ensure that your children are safe and happy learners, and we also trust you as our partners in the educational journey.

As we approach the end of the academic year, our fourth full year as an Inspired school, the KGIS Team has had a number of opportunities to reflect on the many developments and successes of this wonderful school community. The ability to self-evaluate and reflect is critical to us, and along with the feedback from our community helps to drive and motivate us to look for ways in which the school can develop for the benefit of the children. There have been many key milestones and achievements since Inspired arrived at KGIS just over two years ago, and as a school we want to ensure that we align with international best practice and standards in education.

This week represents another key milestone for KGIS, and for the entire school community. We welcomed a team of four school inspectors from the UK to KGIS to undertake a full UK government Department of Education school inspection. Always ambitious in our aim to meet international standards, KGIS has chosen to work and hold itself to account The UK school inspection system is rigorous and robust, and KGIS has been assessed using the same challenging criteria as those used to assess independent schools in the UK. KGIS is proud to be only the second school in Oman to undertake a British Schools Overseas full inspection alongside the British School of Muscat.

The UK Department for Education has put in place a scheme for the inspection of British curriculum schools overseas, whereby schools are inspected against a common set of standards. The purpose of the inspection is to provide information to parents, teachers, senior managers and the school’s management on the overall effectiveness of the school, the standard of education it provides and its compatibility with independent schools in the United Kingdom

The inspection and report cover the key areas of:

quality of the curriculum; quality of teaching and learning; the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students; their welfare, health and safety; the suitability of the proprietor and staff; the school’s premises and accommodation; the school's complaints procedures

During their time in the school, the inspection team spent the majority of their time in lessons observing teaching and assessment practices, and speaking to students and teachers. They also interviewed school leaders, the School Board and a group of parents They scrutinised a wide range of documentation, evidence and policies All of these investigations form the basis for a detailed report on the quality of education and standards at KGIS. The report will go through the quality assurance process at the UK Department for Education before being shared with the school. The full report will be shared with parents and will also be placed on the school's website

The school will be awarded one of four overall ratings:

Unsatisfactory

Satisfactory

Good Outstanding

The inspection and report provide peace of mind for parents that their children are receiving an education that is aligned with international best practice and quality. Parents can be assured that the standards achieved by the school and the practices adopted are in line with the best independent British curriculum schools both in the UK and worldwide

We thank you for the trust you show in us each and every day, and look forward to being able to share the inspection report and rating with you once we receive these

Yours sincerely

Ms. Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Sunday 14 May: IGCSE Examinations start

Sunday 21 May: Grade 11 Oman Bilingual Diploma examinations start

Sunday 21 May: Examinations for Grades 6 to 9 start

Sunday 4 June: Grade 12 Oman Bilingual Diploma examinations start

Tuesday 20 June: Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony

Thursday 29 June: Last day of Term 3

Please click here to access the Academic Calendar for this year

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

Learning

Overviews

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 (no overview due to IGCSE exams)

Extra-Curricular Activities

a-Curricular Timetable for this term

Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-curricular activities continue as normal this week. Please use the link above to see the timetable for Term 3.

Model United Nations

Congratulations to our Model United Nations team who have participated in two key events this week. They had a fantastic time at the MUN Training Conference, hosted by The Sultan's School on Saturday 13th May Students were split into three committees: Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, Security Council and General Assembly. Each committee discussed its own global political topic, such as 'Ensuring access to healthcare for all, including addressing the challenges posed by Global Pandemics such as Covid 19'.

Our students were taught how to create alliances with other countries, write and give an opening speech, write a resolution and participate in debate and voting. The students did not disappoint, as all became involved in discussion and debate. Congratulations to Goravi Tyagi in Grade 8 who won Best Delegate for the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee!

The team also enjoyed participating in the International School of Bergamo's Grade 7 and 8 Debate Competition The competition was hosted online through Google Meet at 5.00pm, so our students logged on from home. Each team consisted of two students who debated against another team from Inspired Schools around the world. The teams were given their topic: 'Failure is a necessary part of learning.' They then spent 30 minutes preparing. Each debate was judged by students from ISB. Our participants were Goravi Tyagi, Laiba Yasir, Sara Hassnaoui and Mirah Al Abdulsalam Well done to our students for participating in this challenge!

KG Update

The children have had another fantastic week in KG! The KG1 children have enjoyed continuing to learn about the ocean and exploring ocean animals. KG2 had a wonderful time exploring superheroes, they made superhero capes and tried to catch the Evil Pea from the green gloop! We’re really looking forward to another fun filled week, we will have Splash days for the children next week where the children will explore lots of water play, further details will follow.

Please note that now that it’s so hot, the KG children will only play outside in the morning All children need a NAMED hat which can be kept in school and a water bottle, without a hat the children will not be allowed to play outside.

Primary News

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

I hope you are all well and your children well settled back into school routines. We are continuing to check uniforms daily and I am happy to say we have seen great improvements across all grades which I thank you for. A reminder, black shoes are required and black trainers on days when children have PE are expected.

As we continue our journey through the academic year and work our way through our Universal Islamic Values, we now are focusing on trust The importance of trust in our school community cannot be underestimated Trust is not just a buzzword, but an integral part of our school culture and values.

We believe that trust is a crucial theme in school life, as it sets the foundation for healthy relationships between students, teachers, and parents When trust exists, communication is open and effective, and collaboration is possible. This creates a positive environment that allows children to learn, grow, and thrive.

At our school, we foster trust in various ways. We encourage open and honest communication between students and teachers. We create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help when needed. We also ensure that students feel valued, respected, and supported in their academic and personal goals.

As parents, you play a critical role in helping us build trust within our school community. By being open and transparent with your child's teachers, you create a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. This, in turn, can help your child feel more comfortable in their learning environment and better equipped to succeed Our recent Academic Review Day was an excellent way to put our words into action and I trust that you feel better equipped to support your child on their academic and spiritual journeys having met your child’s teachers

We would like to encourage you to continue to support our efforts to build trust within our school community. By working together, we can create an environment where trust, respect, and collaboration are the norm

Grades 1 and 2

In Grade 1 and 2 student space cadets have been really enjoying their Drama lessons this week! They were exploring space and we just managed to catch them before they went on a journey to the moon. They met aliens, ghosts and a dragon and I am sure they have plenty of stories to tell once they return from outer space!

Primary News

Grade 2 students started learning about forces and motion in Science and looked at push and pull They made a rocket balloon to look at the effects of push pull and really loved it. Grade 2 have also started their swimming lessons. Some students were a little scared but with some encouragement, they dived right in and loved it!

End of Year Exams

Grade 1 and 2 will have English, Maths and Science end of year exams during lessons beginning the week of the 28th of May. Please see the overviews for any work you wish to do at home with your child in preparation. Arabic will take place in the week beginning the 4th of June.

Grades 3 to 5

Recently Grade 4 students have been looking at the text, 'King of the Sky', by Linda Davies. The students were given the first passage and were given the opportunity to create their own images of what they imagined by reading the text.

It rained and rained and rained

Little houses huddled on the humpbacked hills. Chimneys smoked and metal towers clanked. The streets smelled of mutton soup and coal dust and no one spoke my language.

Primary News

Grade 3 to 5 will have English, Maths and Science end of year exams during lessons beginning the week of the 28th May 2023 Please see the weekly overviews for any work you wish to do at home with your child in preparation

Arabic exams will take place in the week beginning the 4th of June for Grades 3 & 4 and next week for Grade 5.

Please see the exam timetable below for GRADE 5 ONLY. Grade 3 & 4 exams will take place during lesson times and the teacher will update you on when exams will take place

Secondary News

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

Thank you for your attendance at our Academic Review Day last week It was great to see such a fantastic turnout! These days are fundamental to strengthening the ties between parents, teachers and students. The final exam season is well and truly underway, with A-Level students and IGCSE students currently sitting their exams. Grade 10 IGCSE students began their final external exams on Monday 15th May. This is the first time these students will sit external exams. It's normal to feel nervous and anxious during this time, but it's important to remember that they have the support of their teachers and peers, and that they have prepared extensively for this moment I wish them all the best of luck and hope that they are able to showcase their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities.

We also have our Key Stage 3 students and Grade 11 Bilingual students starting their exams next week. I know all students and teachers have been busy preparing for these papers and I am confident each student will get the result they deserve I would like to wish all involved the very best of luck! Remember, a grade does not define who you are and is merely one more step on your life journey.

Learning and Teaching

Grade 6 students worked hard to prove that metals conduct electricity and non-metals do not. In the course of the investigation, they proved that electrical conductivity is a good way to tell metals and non-metals apart. Furthermore, the students observed that metals, such as copper and aluminium, allowed electric current to flow easily through their conductive structures. On the other hand, non-metals like rubber and plastic hindered the flow of electricity due to their insulating properties These findings confirmed their hypothesis and provided concrete evidence for distinguishing between metals and non-metals based on their electrical conductivity.

Secondary News

Grade 9 students have explored the stages of mitosis using jelly-worms as chromosomes A simple but effective activity that provided students with an invaluable practical experience of a complex concept. Through this engaging exercise, they observed how the jelly-worms replicated, aligned, and separated, mirroring the intricate process of cell division. This practical experience not only deepened their understanding of mitosis but also fostered a sense of excitement and curiosity about the wonders of Biology.

Grade 9 Design & Technology students have been continuing to hone their drawing skills as they create an innovative pencil-holder In addition to creating an innovative pencil-holder, Grade 9 Design & Technology students will have the opportunity to refine key skills through this project. Drawing is a fundamental aspect of design, and as such, students will continue to improve their sketching and technical drawing abilities. They will learn how to use different drawing tools and techniques to communicate their ideas effectively. Furthermore, students will develop their creativity and problem-solving skills as they explore various design options and brainstorm solutions to potential challenges that may arise during the project Finally, students will refine their attention to detail, spatial reasoning, and measurement skills as they work to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing pencil-holder.

Secondary News

Grade 6 students have been working on their independent research skills in ICT as they research about networks Students' research project on networks is an excellent opportunity for them to learn about the different types of networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the Internet. They will also learn about the components of a network, such as routers, switches, and servers, and how they work together to enable communication between devices Additionally, the students will develop their research skills as they search for reliable sources of information, evaluate the credibility of sources, and summarise and present their findings in a clear and organised manner. Through this project, the students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of networks in our increasingly interconnected world

Key Question - What impact does poor attendance have on student's progress?

Attendance is an essential aspect of academic success that is often overlooked by students. It is a crucial factor that determines how well a student performs in school, especially for those who aspire to excel in their academic pursuits.

Importance of Attendance:

Attendance helps students build a strong foundation for academic success By attending classes regularly, students get to participate in discussions, ask questions, and receive feedback from their teachers, all of which help to reinforce learning and increase retention.

Regular attendance also helps students develop self-discipline and time management skills, which are essential for success in all areas of life. Students who attend classes regularly tend to be more organised, focused, and less prone to procrastination

Attendance is also a vital component of good citizenship. By attending classes, students demonstrate respect for their teachers, peers, and the learning process. It also shows their commitment to their education and their willingness to invest time and effort in achieving their academic goals. Communicate with teachers. If there are any challenges that may affect attendance, such as illness or family emergencies, parents should communicate with their teachers in advance This will help them to stay on track and ensure that they do not fall behind.

By establishing good habits and staying organised, motivated, and engaged, students can maximise their learning opportunities and achieve their full potential. Research shows that if students are late 20 minutes per day, that equates to fourteen days in the whole school year! This is a huge amount of missed learning time and will undoubtedly have a negative impact. School starts at 7:40am and all students should be here by 7:35am at the latest.

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