KGIS Weekly Newsletter 1 June 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

We have had a busy week of exams at KGIS, with our Primary and Secondary students sitting their end of year assessments, as well as the continuation of IGCSE, A Level and GED examinations for our older students. Assessments provide such a wide range of useful information and data for teachers, helping us to get to know the strengths and areas for improvement for every single student. This information is used by all our teachers to plan the curriculum moving forward and to ensure that every child receives a personalised amount of challenge as well as support in order to make excellent progress

Whilst useful, inevitably assessments can cause a certain amount of stress and anxiety for students and parents. I am very proud of the way in which our students have conducted themselves this week; they have shown themselves to be responsible and committed learners I am sure that students have done a fantastic job in demonstrating the progress they have made this year!

It is important however to remember that an assessment only provides a single snapshot of what a student can do At KGIS we recognise the strengths and talents of every individual, whether they be academic, artistic, sporting, musical or practical. Everyone makes a unique and valuable contribution to our school community and to our global society. When you talk to your children this week please remember and celebrate all the different talents and skills that make them so special, and let them know that no matter how they perform in a single assessment they are truly amazing!

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

Ms. Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Sunday 4 June: Grade 12 Oman Bilingual Diploma examinations start

Thursday 8 June: KGIS Science Day

Thursday 8 June: KG Stay and Play Open Day for new students (1:30pm)

Monday 19 June: KG2 Graduation Ceremony (9:00am)

Monday 19 June: Grade 5 Graduation Ceremony (1:30pm)

Tuesday 20 June: Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony

Wednesday 21 June: Term 3 Academic Reports published to parents

Wednesday 21 June: Student Awards 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:

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

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.

U11 Boys Basketball Team - Winners of the Muscat Primary Schools League!

Congratulations to our U11 Boys Basketball Team who won the Muscat Primary Schools League this week beating ABA in the final The team were truly victorious, winning all 4 of their matches!

Water Sports at KGIS

We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Oman Sail who will be delivering taster sessions in school for the next 2 weeks. All students in Grades 7 to 9 will have the opportunity to learn Scuba Diving on the following dates:

Tuesday 6th June: Grade 7-9 Boys

Tuesday 13th June: Grade 7-9 Girls

If students would like to participate and try Scuba Diving in our school pool, parents must sign the Waiver Form that has been sent home with students. Following the taster sessions, all students will have the opportunity to sign up to complete their Padi Open Water Scuba Diving course starting in September.

You can find out more about the courses offered by Oman Sail by clicking here.

KG Update

We have had another fun filled week in KG, we simply don't know where the time has gone! As they say 'time flies when you are having fun!' A huge thank you to all our Mystery Readers this term, the children have loved listening to different adults reading their favourite stories If you would like to read to the children before the end of term please contact your child's class teacher. The KG1 and KG2 children are thoroughly enjoying exploring their new topic, 'Hip Hip Hooray! We're Going on Holiday!'

Thank you to Rania's mummy who came to talk to the children about being an airplane pilot and all about air travel, the children were fascinated and particularly enjoyed seeing the airplane model!

Your child should have brought home a letter about our upcoming school trip to Fun Land at Al Muzn Mall on Monday 12th June Please return the permission slip and 5 OMR as soon as possible and no later than Thursday 8th June.

Primary News

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

I hope you are all keeping well and that our end of year exams which started this week have gone smoothly for your child - and for you as a parent!

In response to some questions this week, we will not be using the end of year assessment results to form your child's end of year grade. We use these exams for planning and data purposes first and foremost. Because of this we will not be releasing the results of these exams to parents or students

Going forward, the end of term is fast approaching! It is important to remember that children’s learning will continue right up until the end of term and even though testing may be completed, learning isn’t!

Starting holidays before the term fully ends means missing out on valuable educational opportunities. Teachers often plan important lessons, discussions, and activities towards the end of the term, which could be crucial for a student's learning and development. By leaving early, students may miss important content and fall behind their peers.

Secondly, the final weeks of a term often involve various social activities, such as class celebrations, group projects, or end-of-term events. By finishing for the holidays early, students miss out on these social interactions, which are important for building relationships with peers, fostering teamwork, and creating memorable experiences.

Wishing you all well as we begin our final month in the year!

Grades 1 and 2

Last month Grade 1 were learning about shape poems. They explored leaves by thinking about how they look, feel and sound They also looked at similes and thought of things that we could compare leaves too One of our favourites was that crunchy leaves sound like 'biting chips of Oman'. Students then used this to write their own shape poem about leaves and we stuck them on the wooden tree outside our classroom to make a fantastic display. At home, try to challenge your child to write their own shape poem based on items you have around the house.

Primary News

Grades 3 to 5

Grade 4 had a very busy month of May and we got to see some great practice going on across the grade!

In English, the children have been reading the ‘King of the Sky’ written by Linda Davies and comparing it with the ‘King of Rome’ written by Dave Sudbury. They spent lessons writing dialogue between the characters in each of the books.

In Science we have been learning about plants and habitats. Despite being 82% desert, Oman is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. Its seas, beaches, mountains and valleys provide sanctuary to a host of endangered species, from the Arabian leopard and the green and hawksbill turtle to the Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin and, of course, the camel. We have been learning about invasive species and other animals that successfully live in different habitats

Primary News

Recently Grade 5 students have been learning about the country Wales After some very funny confusion over the differences between Wales and whales, we were able to get to work! They looked at some key areas of Welsh culture, the mining industry, the economy and natural features of Wales. They were very lucky to then present their projects to some Grade 3C students this week. Their focus was on some of the key similarities and differences between Wales and Oman! Both classes had a lovely morning, presenting as well as listening!

Secondary News

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

I would like to say congratulations to all our Grade 6 to 9 and 11BD students who have completed their end of year exams. These exams have been the culmination of a tremendous amount of work over the entire academic year. Please remember, that exam grades do not define us. If students are not happy with their grades, there is always an opportunity to improve. What is more important, is that students learn from these exams and use them as a tool for learning and pushing forward.

I would like to remind parents that lessons will be taking place next week as normal. It is extremely important that all students attend as teachers will be delivering vital feedback from exams, as well as preparing students for the next academic year. If students do not attend, they will be at a major disadvantage. I appreciate your support in encouraging your child to attend all lessons.

Finally, another reminder that the KGIS Science Team has some exciting plans for the KGIS Science Day on 8th June 2023! The theme of the day will be ‘Exploration and Discovery’. There will be many fun activities planned for the day with the showcase being a ‘dress-up’ as your favourite scientist or science concept. Please see posters around the school for more details.

Learning and Teaching

Our Grade 10 IGCSE Drama students performed their practical exam on Thursday, which is worth 40% of their IGCSE! They have worked extremely hard and the 4 fundamental C's in Drama have improved immensely - confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. The students have dedicated themselves and showed unwavering commitment and perseverance. Throughout their rigorous rehearsals and collaborative efforts, they have honed their self-assurance, effectively expressed ideas, maintained focused attention, and synchronised their movements harmoniously. The students' tremendous growth in these crucial areas showcases their determination and passion for the dramatic arts, setting the stage for a remarkable performance on exam day!

Secondary News

Grade 6 Art students had a very exciting lesson this week as they explored the ancient art of origami and embarked on a captivating journey. Through patient guidance and creative exploration, they learned the delicate art of folding paper into intricate shapes and designs With each fold, their minds expanded, fostering patience, precision, and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of simplicity.

Grade 9 Psychology students are working on their memory retrieval skills for their end of year exam. Working in groups and utilising desks as a tool for revision can have significant benefits for students honing their memory retrieval skills. Group work promotes active engagement and encourages peer-to-peer learning, allowing for the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and knowledge Collaborative discussions enhance critical thinking and problemsolving abilities, reinforcing memory retention. Additionally, writing on desks serves as a visual and kinaesthetic aid, facilitating information organisation and recall. Such interactive approaches foster a dynamic learning environment, fostering comprehensive understanding and effective exam preparation.

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