KGIS Weekly Newsletter 23rd May 2024

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

This week marks a truly bittersweet moment for all the staff and students at KGIS as we celebrate the graduation of our Grade 12 cohort It is especially bittersweet for me as this is my very last graduation ceremony as Principal of KGIS Many of this group of Grade 12 students have shared my KGIS journey with me over the last five years, and as we move onto the next adventures in our lives I am hugely proud, privileged and grateful to have had the opportunity to accompany them on their school journey. They are a remarkable and diverse group of young people who have already achieved so much not only in an academic sense but also in demonstrating the KGIS Values in action through their international mindedness and tolerance, their participation in school clubs and activities, the many awards they have won, and their benevolence as they give back to their community.

In my speech to them, I quote Rumi; the well-known Iranian poet and Islamic scholar:

"It's your road, and yours alone Others may walk it with you but no one can walk it for you "

The world awaits our graduates with open arms! As the KGIS mission states I remind them that they leave us as 'pioneers of their own future'. Our graduates must navigate and walk their own paths with courage and determination. I am certain that their future is bright and am excited to see what it brings. Congratulations Grade 12! Remember that wherever you are, you will always be part of the KGIS Family!

Thank you parents for your unwavering support, for challenging us as a school to be the best for your children, and for entrusting them to our care.

Ms Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Sunday 26 May: LAMDA Drama Performance Evening (5:45pm)

Monday 27 May: 'KGIS Has Talent' competition

Wednesday 29 May: KGIS Mother & Baby Group (1:30pm)

Sunday 2 June-Monday 3 June: KG1 and KG2 Parent Consultation Meetings

Tuesday 4 June: KG2 Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday 4 June: Grade 5 Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday 4 June: KGIS Student Awards Ceremony

Thursday 13 June: Last day of Term 3

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

Clickonthelinksbelowtoaccessthelearningoverview,homelearningexpectationsand

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6 (exams)

Grade 7 (exams)

Grade 8 (exams)

Grade 9 (exams)

Grade 10 (IGCSE exams)

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 Has Talent’ Auditions

Congratulations to all the students who have auditioned for a place in the final of the 'KGIS Has Talent' competition that is taking place next week on Monday 27 May! More than 120 students showed off their skills in acting, dancing, singing, comedy and much more to our Performing Arts Team forcing them to make some very tricky decisions! Students auditioned from KG1 all the way through to Grade 12 and we can't wait to watch the final next week!

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

Extra-Curricular Activities

Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term

Inspired Summer Camps

Secure your spot at one of the Inspired Global Camps this summer!

Watch our YouTube video here!

As we approach the summer months, we wanted to inform you that some limited spaces are left in our phenomenal global summer camps, which are experiencing high demand. Last year, we had amazing feedback from Inspired families, who decided to enrol their children, so we wanted to offer the remaining spaces to you first!

If you are keen for your child to join this July or August, we encourage you to secure your child's spot as soon as possible.

Whether your child thrives in academic pursuits, enjoys sports, or loves expressing themselves through the arts, we have something for everyone.

Even though spaces are limited, we continue to offer our exclusive Inspired 10% discount, applicable to each camp booking This is an opportunity not to be missed!

To secure your child's place simply visit our website or contact use the contact form to ask a question directly. We can't wait to welcome your child to a summer full of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories.

KG Update

Last week, children in both KG1 and KG2 took part in a Splash Day! Children had a wonderful time splashing their friends and teachers and particularly enjoyed the small inflatable slide. The day allowed the KG children to display their newly improved confidence and social skills when interacting and sharing with their peers. Great fun was had by all!

In KG2, children have been continuing to learn about Superheros and have been discussing their own personal superpowers. Children have been thinking about their personality attributes and have been comparing their different personalities. For example, some children have shared that they are kind, some have shared that they are brave and others have shared that they are adventurous! We listened to the story ‘What's My Superpower?’ by Aviaq Johnston and used this to help us write simple sentences about our superpowers

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

Primary News

As we are coming into the final weeks of the school year, it may be tempting to take holidays early or allow your child to miss some school I would ask that this does not happen as there is still a lot of learning time left in the school year and areas of the curriculum to be covered.

Taking school holidays early can disrupt a child's education and may not be in their best interest for several reasons:

Missed Learning Opportunities: School holidays are scheduled to align with the academic calendar, ensuring that children receive a consistent and uninterrupted education. Taking holidays early means missing out on valuable learning opportunities, which can impact academic progress and achievement.

Disruption to Routine: School provides a structured routine for children including daily schedules, learning activities, and social interactions with peers. Taking holidays early can disrupt this routine, leading to difficulties in adjusting back to school when classes resume

Impact on Socialisation: School activities offer opportunities for children to socialise with their peers, participate in extra-curricular activities, and engage in group learning experiences. Taking holidays early may result in isolation from classmates and friends, impacting social development and relationships.

Difficulty Catching Up: Missing school for an extended period can make it challenging for children to catch up on missed lessons, assignments, and assessments. This can increase stress and academic pressure when returning to school, leading to feelings of frustration and feeling overwhelmed.

Teacher Support: Teachers play a crucial role in supporting students' learning and academic progress Taking holidays early may mean missing out on valuable teacher guidance, instruction, and feedback, which can hinder academic development and success

While it may be tempting to take school holidays early for personal or family reasons, it's important for parents to consider the potential impact on their child's education, socialisation, and overall well-being before making such decisions.

Grades 1 & 2

This week marks a special occasion for Grade 1 as we return our library books for the final time this school year

Our visits to the Library will continue for the next two weeks, and this collection of photos captures the enthusiasm and love for reading that our class shares

Over the past months, our passion for books has shone brightly through our impressive phonics assessments. The majority of our students have successfully passed the Phonics Screening Check, with many showing remarkable progress, jumping 3-4 steps since their last phonics assessment. This achievement is a testament to our dedication to reading, which has significantly enhanced our speaking, listening, and writing skills.

We cherish our Library visits, not just for the joy of discovering new stories, but also for the opportunity to choose books to share with our parents and carers at home. Grade 1's love for reading continues to grow, and we look forward to many more Library adventures!

Primary News

In Grade 2, we are busy completing the phonics ‘celebration of learning’. The children are doing very well and we are so proud of how they have managed these assessments with such a positive attitude

This week, we started our new book ‘The Twits’ and we had a lot of fun exploring prediction skills. We also started to look at summarising chapters of the story as well.

In ICT, we are working on copying and pasting, typing skills, adding in backgrounds and creating animation.

Primary News

Grades 3 to 5

Grade 3 students have been working on many different skills in ICT lessons this year. They have learned how to code, create spreadsheets, correctly send emails and how to CC to others when sending to more than one person. This week they began learning about how to create databases, branch data and how to classify data according to different criteria PurpleMash is a great resource for learning the basics of computing, and computer science as well as more sophisticated and complicated actions. Please encourage your child to use it over the summer holidays so they don’t forget the skills learned over the year!

Primary News

Grade 4 students have been working very hard lately in all lessons.

In Science we have been exploring different habitats and ecosystems and took the time to think about our very own creative and imaginative habitats. We thought about what types of food there might be for the creatures living there and what the weather would be like It was great to allow critical thinking and how things link together with our imagination and scientific thinking.

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

Secondary News

This week marks one of the most significant events of the school year for us at KGIS: the Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony. It is a bittersweet experience to wave goodbye to the Class of 2024. These students have been part of the KGIS family for many years, weaving themselves into the fabric of all the wonderful things we achieve at this school. Our graduates have grown and developed right before our eyes, transforming from eager young learners into confident and capable young adults. Their journey has been filled with countless hours of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Throughout their time here, they have demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a commitment to the values and community spirit that KGIS holds dear.

As we bid farewell, we reflect on the many achievements and contributions of the Class of 2024. From their participation in academic competitions and sports teams to their involvement in arts and community service projects, these students have truly embodied the spirit of KGIS and in particular, the KGIS 'Year of Giving' with their many charitable acts and donations. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and leadership have left an indelible mark on our school community.

While it is always challenging to see our students leave, it is also a moment of immense pride and joy It is wonderful to witness them reaching this important milestone and preparing to embark on the next chapter of their lives as they head off to university. We are confident that they will continue to excel and make meaningful contributions wherever they go.

I would also like to recognise and celebrate the support and guidance provided by their families, friends, and teachers. The journey to graduation is a collective effort, and the success of our students is a testament to the strong, supportive network surrounding them. To the families of the Class of 2024, thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement. Your partnership with KGIS has been invaluable in helping your children achieve this milestone.

Finally, to our graduates, we want you to know how incredibly proud we are of each and every one of you. You have accomplished so much during your time at KGIS, and we have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things in the future. As you move forward, remember to stay true to yourselves, embrace new opportunities with an open mind, and continue to strive for excellence in all that you do.

Congratulations Class of 2024! You have made us proud, your families proud, and most importantly, you have made yourselves proud We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and look forward to hearing about your many successes in the years to come.

Subject Spotlight: Science

Secondary News

Revision has been the focus of the Science Department lessons this week, with each grade engaging in targeted activities to prepare for their upcoming exams

In Grade 6, students have been revising the states of matter in a dynamic and interactive way. They used their own bodies to simulate particles, demonstrating the behaviour of solids, liquids, and gases.

Grade 7 students have been deep into Chemistry revision They have been busy creating mind maps to consolidate their understanding of key concepts. This visual tool has been instrumental in helping them organise information and make connections between different topics, ensuring they are well-prepared for their exams.

Grade 9 has had a comprehensive revision schedule. For their Biology exam, they have been using the carousel model, which involves rotating through different stations to reinforce various aspects of the subject

In Chemistry, Grade 9 students have been working closely with Mr. Graham on topics such as chromatography, as well as other essential concepts. His expert guidance has been invaluable in helping students grasp complex ideas and techniques.

Grade 10 students have been receiving specialised attention from Mr. Tom, who held a special revision session in preparation for their upcoming IGCSE Physics exam. This intensive review has been crucial in helping students finetune their understanding and approach to the challenging material they will encounter.

Meanwhile, the Grade 12 BD students have been diligently completing their practical activities for Biology. These hands-on experiments are essential for solidifying their theoretical knowledge and ensuring that they are thoroughly prepared for both their written and practical assessments

The k dis nd teachers this week highligh t to a IS. W thorough revision sessions w stu ona

Secondary News

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

School Catering 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