Whole School Newsletter T1 AY 2023/24

NLCS DUBAI NEWSLETTER ISSUE #1 I DECEMBER 2023 02

Message from The Principal I would like to thank everyone in school; staff, students and parents, for welcoming our family so wholeheartedly into the NLCS Dubai community.

We have loved our first few months and cannot wait to experience more NLCS Dubai firsts.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Message from The Head of JS I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a delightful holiday season. I look forward to welcoming the children back to school on January 2nd.

PAGE 2 l Message from The Principal PAGE 4 l Message from The Head of Junior School

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PAGE 6 l Message from The Vice Principal Pastoral Care PAGE 8 l Whole School News PAGE 16 l Senior School News PAGE 26 l Junior School News PAGE 33 l Team NLCS

Message from the Vice Principal Pastoral Care We have had an incredible first term here at NLCS Dubai. I wish everyone an enjoyable and restful holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday 2nd January.

Message from The Principal

A s I comple te my first full te rm at NLCS Dubai it

feels like a natural time to reflect on my first impressions and observations. I clearly recall my first few weeks of morning and afternoon bus duty in the sweltering Dubai August temperatures, although that seems such a long time ago. Traffic in those first few weeks seemed an impossible problem to solve, and although queueing and patience are still required, things seem to have settled into a reasonable rhythm. Colleagues said that the commencement of our extensive ECA programme would help. I don't think I really believed them as I didnʼt realise how many activities we offer before and after school. This range of opportunities due to such high-level staff commitment and student engagement, is my first observation. Staff at NLCS throw themselves into the school and commit 100% to their students, and our students respond superbly.

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This is also a feature of the House system (well established in the Senior School and quickly catching up in the Junior School). The regular events and competitions are well supported and genuinely matter to students and staff. The House song was a masterpiece of mass participation and competitions like the House quiz, football, endurance, public speaking, and photography have all added to the diverse offering. Aligned with this is the wider student leadership opportunities that are offered and embraced by our students. The student led societies provide a wonderful example of our senior students acting as role models for their younger peers, whilst stimulating intellectual curiosity and academic interest.

I have been enormously impressed by the drive and enthusiasm of our charity committee and the Big 4 are outstanding individuals who embody what NLCS stands for. Omar provided an outstanding example of this when he passionately spoke to the whole Senior School about the need to provide humanitarian support in Gaza.

I have also been incredibly impressed with the wider opportunities like Duke of Edinburgh, concerts, plays, sports fixtures, trips, competitions, and school events.

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In any school, the quality of what takes place in the classroom is clearly of utmost importance. Through a number of informal drop-ins and more formal lesson observations I have been incredibly impressed by the standard of teaching and learning at NLCS Dubai. The lower school exhibitions of learning have been wonderful, showcasing the confidence and spirit of enquiry that our students build. Our teachers provide motivating and engaging lessons, and our students respond with energy and enthusiasm. Their desire to learn and grow is tangible! We have recently been visited by a trio of NLCS International inspectors, for our annual monitoring visit. They described the quality of

Principal's Commendations Juliet Price-Lyall G9 Hafeet Asma Jameel G9 Hafeet Asjad Jameel G7 Hafeet Laila Al Hazmi G10 Yibir Maitha Al Hazmi G10 Yibir Sandro Wolff G10 Javi Avantika Rajesh G8 Jais Chanel Herre G9 Hafeet Arthur Bremaud G9 Hafeet

Armaan Kumar G11 Yibir Haru Tanaka G7 Yibir Sebeen Jung G7 Yibir Zixuan Hao G7 Javi Jianqin Tang G7 Hafeet Zihao Ji G10 Yibir Wenzhe Lin G10 Yibir Yeonwoo Seo G10 Javi Junze Wang G10 Yibir

teaching and learning to be outstanding, saying:

"In conclusion, the academic provision at the school is of an extremely high calibre and the staff and students are rightly proud of the academic culture of the school."

I understand that this must remain an ongoing focus and am confident that we will continue to develop our pedagogical practice and approach thanks to the growth mindset of our staff.

The relatively recent proliferation of AI has been a topic of conversation as we have dealt with older students using AI to help with their research and investigations within MYP and DP projects. This has highlighted, for me, the need for us review our use of technology in school and explore the further opportunities that digital learning can provide. In the new term I will be offering parents the opportunity to ʻMeet the Principalʼ in a series of grade specific open meetings. The aim is to give a wide cross section of parents the chance to speak directly with me about their personal views and opinions about our school. The topic of Digital Technologies will be a great starting point and I know there will be other areas of interest we can cover.

Please watch this space for the invites.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone in school; staff, students, and parents, for welcoming our family so wholeheartedly into the NLCS Dubai community. We have loved our first few months and cannot wait to experience more NLCS Dubai firsts. I look forward to meeting you at the winter fair or a parent soiree in the coming months, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy a lovely family festive celebration.

All the best, Jon Locke Principal

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Message from The Head of Junior School Our class assemblies have provided both enjoyment and a platform for our children to showcase their talents. We were treated to delightful winter performances from the KG students last week, followed by the fantastic Junior Concert. Earlier in the term, we enjoyed House breakfasts, a chance to celebrate our new House names – LouʼLoua, Mirsa, Rubaan, and Safina! National Day celebrations were particularly special this year, marked by numerous fun events and activities, allowing us to commemorate the 52nd birthday of this remarkable country in our own unique style!

I find it hard to believe that we are swiftly approaching

the conclusion of our first term – time has quite literally raced by here in the Junior School. I want to extend my appreciation to each one of you – students, staff, and parents – for your unwavering support throughout this past term. While much has been accomplished, the emphasis has been on relishing every moment!

The pleasure of witnessing so many of you, as parents, participating in various school events has been truly gratifying. These include coffee mornings, drop-in sessions in the classrooms, and parent-teacher evenings. As the academic year progresses, we eagerly anticipate your continued presence to further fortify the unique NLCS community spirit. Extra-curricular activities, House events, sports fixtures, and mini exhibitions have been abundant, with a multitude of students seizing every opportunity on offer.

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The incredible learning experiences have been central to our daily endeavours. The Units of Inquiry have sparked remarkable engagement, research, and productive action.

Educational visits to places like Woohoo, The jamjar, and Aventura Park have further enriched the learning journey.

A new initiative this term has also been the introduction of the Junior School Nicholson Lecture series, overseen by Mr Mullan. Staff have presented on a variety of topics including the future of AI, the role of advertising in our lives and the history of the potato! Next term, our G5 students will get the opportunity to prepare and present their own lectures.

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A heartfelt thank you goes to the Parentsʼ Guild for their continuous support in all school matters. I am deeply appreciative of their enthusiasm in supporting the school, and I eagerly anticipate the Winter Fayre and the release of our Recipe book, early next term.

My sincere gratitude for your exceptionally generous donations for the Gifts of Gratitude to support the staff. I know they are thrilled to receive them – your generosity is genuinely valued.

Looking ahead to the New Year, I am confident that 2024 holds wonderful experiences for all of us at NLCS Dubai Junior School. On behalf of the entire Junior Team, I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a delightful holiday season. I look forward to welcoming the children back to school on January 2nd.

Stay safe, enjoy the break, and see you all in 2024.

Warmest wishes, Simon James Head of Junior School

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Message from The Vice Principal Pastoral Care House spirit stronger than ever, with close fought and lively house competitions over the past 13 weeks. House Song was an absolute highlight of the first term with all students fully engaged in this major competition, with double points being awarded. Elton John, Fame, Harry Styles and Abba were all represented in a diverse and entertaining morning. House Football, the Endurance Challenge, House Photography and House Quiz have all allowed all students to try themselves out and represent their respective Houses.

We have had an incre dible first te rm he re at NLCS Dubai. The school has be e n an e xciting and vibrant place to be , with stude nts fully e ngage d in acade mics, sports, arts and all are as that make our school such a spe cial place to be .

Care , courte sy, and conside ration has continue d to unde rpin all that we do. Our ve rtical form groups and House s have e mbe dde d the se nse of family and be longing, with stude nts le arning from, and guiding e ach othe r e ve ry day. Our taught pastoral programme this te rm has focuse d on tole rance , positive psychology, and the foundations of the “rights of a child”. This ke y part of our wide r curriculum e nsure s stude nts have the skills ne e de d to navigate the world around the m, and for life be yond school.

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Flag Day and National Day celebrations been significant milestones in December. Students and staff were proudly wearing the national dress of the country we all currently call home. Creating “52 on the field” is now a strong part of our NLCS tradition, marking this important event in our calendar and the history of the country we all call home.

The Senior School production of Love Song kicked off the year for the Drama Department, with beautiful, mature and thought-provoking performance. The end of term was concluded with a fantastic evening of music from students and staff, as part of the Senior Festive Recital. Arts are certainly alive and well.

I wish everyone an enjoyable and restful holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday 2nd January.

Warmest regards, Emma Dawson Vice Principal Pastoral Care

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Whole School News FLAG DAY AND NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS

By Chris May In the autumn term every year at NLCS Dubai we hold our celebrations and commemorations related to the nation we all call home. This started with a beautiful Flag Day ceremony attended by the entire school community on the field.

Our community came together to honour the flag of the UAE and remember the founding principles of the nation and its leaders. This year our Emirati students in the Senior School, along with Mr. May devised a new ceremony format that included educational moments and an incredibly meaningful new poem, written by a student that espoused the pride and passion we have for following the guiding principles of the founders and focused on looking forward collectively to ensure we all build upon the work of the last 52 years.

Later in the term, the entire school celebrated UAE National Day. At NLCS Dubai our focus is twofold when it comes to this event. We are a school made up of a myriad of nationalities and thus it is our responsibility to ensure all students are educated about the UAE. Across the school, equal weighting is placed on the opportunity to celebrate and have fun but also to learn. Our students engaged wonderfully in themed lessons, learning experiences and lots of fun activities over the two days. As ever our plan was to align this event with the official theme which for 2023 was ʻToday for Tomorrowʼ specifically linking to the Year of Sustainability and the fact that the UAE is hosting COP28 at Expo City.

Senior School students attended a special Nicholson Lecture delivered by Mr. May in which the Conference of Parties (COP) was explained both in terms of the historical progress made at such global meetings but also what COP 28 aims to achieve. He also taught the Senior School about some of the efforts made by the UAE to reach the national sustainability targets in the coming years. It was heartening to hear students and staff alike discussing such issues and truly understanding the significance of COP28. In his lecture, Mr. May spoke about the responsibility of all of us to be stewards of the planet upon which we live. He made it clear that change cannot happen unless each of us makes changes in our own lives, be active and vocal about the need for change but most importantly move forward in our lives and future careers and lead the change from the front.

Finally, on November 30th the entire school took a moment of reflection on Commemoration Day to remember those who have fallen in pursuit of protecting the nation. This day allows our community to remember the selflessness of those who choose to be in the military and more importantly put others before themselves. This is an ethos that NLCS truly believes in, and we can use the example of those who we commemorate to inspire our own altruistic actions.

We would like to thank all the students, staff and parents who have contributed to and assisted with the UAE celebrations this term. Our community is more knowledgeable about the UAE and its aims as a result, and we will continue to strive towards a collective understanding of our own civil responsibilities.

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Whole School News FLAG DAY AND NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS

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CHARITY

By Laura Dunn Congratulations to the student led Charity Committee for another successful term. The committee has continued to grow, and students are very keen to get involved with many charities and initiatives. On Thursday 12th October, the NLCS Dubai community came together for Pinktober, Al Jalila Foundationʼs breast cancer fundraising campaign. In collaboration with the Parentsʼ Guild, there was a wonderful Pink Day and Bake sale to raise funds for Al Jalilaʼs research into breast cancerʼs cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Thank you to all staff, parents, and students for the donations of cakes and baked goods for the bake sale, which raised a staggering total of AED 35,299!

The end of term saw the Festive Jumper and accessories day to raise funds for the Emirates Red Crescent, an exciting day before the winter break.

In response to the escalating regional conflict, the Charity Committee organised two initiatives to support both the Emirates Red Crescent and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). The Charity Committee holds close to their hearts the values of empathy, care, and compassion, and believes the current conflict calls for us to exercise them. Whilst the committee comprehends the complexities of the issue at hand, they reached out to the school community to stress that their focus remains steadfast on the human aspect of the matter. The students asked the community to unite and embrace shared values to make a positive change in the lives of those affected.

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SEASON’S GREETINGS

By George Agius and Collette Peoples The Senior Festive Recital was a fantastic musical spectacle showcasing the vast musical talents of the students across the senior school. The evening was kicked off by Mr Zamboniniʼs ever-growing Intermediate Ensemble getting us into the mood with a performance of ʻChristmas Time is Hereʼ before a rousing ʻCeltic Air and Dance.ʼ They were followed by Ms Kellyʼs Flute Choir who were excellent once again with two winter numbers. Verbatim, Mr Gomezʼs rock band featuring students from grades 8, 9 and 10 returned with a stirring performance of the Irish grunge classic, ʻZombieʼ by the Cranberries. We were then treated to a fabulous performance of Danclaʼs ʻAir Varie no.3ʼ by grade 6 student, Yicheng Liu on the violin. This was followed by a brand-new ensemble, the Chamber Choir led by our new Music teacher, Ms Byrnes. The Chamber Choir features our elite singers, and they performed two beautiful pieces including a medley of ʻSomewhere Over the Rainbowʼ and ʻWhat a Wonderful World.ʼ The Senior String ensemble were at their best once again led by our wonderful violin teacher, Ms Eva Grasbeck with a highlight being a performance from the festive, ʻNutcracker Suite.ʼ The first half ended with an energetic performance from the Jazz band performing a jazzy festive medley, the crooner classic, ʻMack the Knifeʼ and finally, ʻRespectʼ made famous by Aretha Franklin.

The interval allowed an opportunity for the audience to continue the winter spirit in the foyer with some festive mince pies before the second half. A new addition to the Senior Festive Recital this year was bringing the whole of Grade 6 to the stage to sing two winter classics; ʻFeliz Navidadʼ and ʻHolly Jolly Christmasʼ, the latter including a surprise kazoo performance from the students! Mr Grahamʼs School of Rock followed them, with another confident, engaging performance including a cover of Bryan Adamʼs, ʻSummer of 69ʼ. Next was the Senior Orchestra with three pieces.

They began with ʻRaiderʼs March,ʼ the theme from Indiana Jones before ʻWaltz no.2ʼ from Shostakovichʼs ʻSuite for Jazz Orchestraʼ and closing with a wonderfully nostalgic medley of the music from ʻHome Aloneʼ by John Williams.

The penultimate performer of the night was Adrian Stritzelberger who is new this year to the school and a DP Music student. He demonstrated wonderful technical skill in performing Chopinʼs ʻNocturne Op.9 no.2ʼ on the piano. The final ensemble was the Community Choir supporting by the School of Rock. Made up equal parts of staff and students, they embody the collegial spirit of the school and were a fitting finale to the evening. They performed ʻAfricaʼ by Toto, The Beatlesʼ classic, ʻYesterdayʼ and of course finished with, ʻAll I Want for Christmas is You.ʼ A fantastic evening of music to end a busy, exciting term in the Music department.

"It was wonderful to have our first live harp performance in the PAC too."

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SEASON’S GREETINGS

By George Agius and Collette Peoples NLCS Junior Choir fittingly opened the festive concert with a beautiful rendition of A Million Dreams. The 78strong choir is the largest to ever perform at NLCS Dubai. Several soloists portrayed the incredible talent and high musicianship standards we hold at NLCS. It was wonderful to have our first live harp performance in the PAC too. Creating a magical atmosphere, Au Clair de la Lune was beautifully performed by our classical guitar students.

Beginner Band, in its second year of fruition; created a hub of excitement amongst the chosen grade 4 and grade 5 students. Starting a brand-new instrument comes with challenges; however, our students have shown determination and willpower to create a lively rendition of Jingle Bells. With a further six months until our Summer Recital, we cannot wait to hear what is next for our Beginner Band. Junior School Orchestra performed a dramatic interpretation of Habanera from Bizetʼs Carmen Suite No. 2.

The Junior School Orchestra highlights our many musical talents at NLCS and we are immensely proud of their continued progress. The orchestra meets in the PAC at lunchtime on a Tuesday and is always delighted to have new members join. Students must have the ability to play an orchestral instrument and read music.

NLCS Junior Choir concluded the event harmoniously singing Disneyʼs ʻHow Far Iʼll Goʼ and December Lights. The Music Department were extremely proud of all performers, particularly those who joined our Choir, Orchestra and Beginner Band ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities) and showed commitment, resilience, and professionalism. Finally, thank you to all the Music Department, our tutors from CMA and peripatetic teachers for their help and expertise this term.

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS

By Nicola Woodroffe What a wonderful way to start the year! The ECA (Extra-Curricular Activities) programme launched with over 450 activities across each week throughout the school.

In the First School, Fun Maths and Young Architect, ECAs were buzzing with excitement! In the Junior School, new and exciting ECAs such as Model United Nations, Picasso Prodigies, Financial Literacy and Wildlife Club sparked great interest and created strong citizenship.

In the Senior School, Arabic Cultural Activities, Engineering Society and Coding developed new passions in new academic spheres. We look forward to Pre-KG joining the ECA activities next term for the first time!

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Leadership and Service opportunities expanded as the Junior Bryant Leadership Award and Senior Bryant Award were introduced. Named after Sophie Bryant, NLCS London Headmistress and keen mountaineer, the award is structured in similar nature to the Duke of Edinburgh award to develop four areas; physical, skill, service, and expedition experience. These are all delivered within NLCS ECA programme and prepare the students for Duke of Edinburgh's Award from Grade 9 upwards. The independent hike in Mushrif tested students' navigational skills and teamwork and was a remarkable success for all 5 groups.

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Other day trips were plentiful and included Macbeth on the QE2 for Grade 5, Jam Jar for Grade 2 and Pre-KG Woohoo enjoyed a morning of fun on their first NLCS trip exploring play and discovery.

Meanwhile at the other end of the school, MYP and DP Art students engaged in discussions and activities at the Jameel gallery while the Grade 7 and 8 students undertook their Geography field trips around Dubai.

A highlight of the term was the Dubai Maths competitions, as NLCS joined top Schools from around Dubai for a series of Maths competitions for each Grade representing NLCS. Congratulations to Grade 5, 7, 10 teams for their successful efforts!

Duke of Edinburghʼs International Award has blossomed well, and this term and students engaged in two successful practice journeys, one for Silver awardees, who performed a 3-day expedition in the Showka region and the other for NLCS Dubai's first Gold Award, who completed a 4-day practice expedition in Oman.

Meanwhile 35 students travelled to Singapore for the Mandarin cultural trip to enhance language skills and experience Asian culture. Students attended Mandarin lessons at NLCS Singapore and enjoyed interschool activities and a sightseeing around Singapore.

Muslim students embraced the opportunity to visit Mecca, performing the Umrah rituals and visiting the holy sites in Mina, Arafat, and the cave of Hira. They also visited other symbolic and important Islamic sites, learning about Umrah and pilgrimage.

Next term we can look forward to Junior and Senior Ski trip to France, Spanish trip and Maldives Dive and Service trip. Here in Dubai, students prepare for their qualifying journeys for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, as well as outdoors ECAs in the cooler weather!

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Senior School News HOUSE COMPETITIONS

By Ben Tomasik

Term One of this academic year has been full of House Competitions. We have had a real range of activities that have tested the whole spectrum of talents, traits, and abilities of NLCS students, from Public Speaking to Endurance Challenge. A big well done to all of those who have put themselves forward and tried themselves out, but especially to those students who are new to the school this year. It has been wonderful to see camaraderie and house spirit in abundance.

The year began with the House Quiz which took place live in an assembly with a studio audience of sorts. Despite some close rounds on flags, new NLCS staff and events from the summer of 2023, it was Javi who claimed the trophy.

Yibir prevailed in House Public Speaking with a narrow victory over Jais. The live audience enjoyed listening to speeches on topics ranging from life without the internet to the power of sport. The showcase event for this first term was a newly formatted House Song competition. After weeks of practice, all houses performed live on stage in assembly in front of a panel of judges. The range of performance styles was fantastic, but it was Jaisʼs rendition of Harry Stylesʼ ʻGoldenʼ which earned the highest marks.

The most recent competitions have had more of an athletic theme due to the cooler weather with House Football taking place at lunchtimes under the careful stewardship of Mr. Bland and the P.E. department. With a background of vocal support, the tackles and goals flew in with all houses picking up hard-earned points. It was ultimately Yibir who came out on top to claim their second win of the year. Javi, who played their joker for double points, came second.

Whilst the sporting action was taking place, Mrs. Michaels and her team of judges were scrutinizing the entries for the House Photography competition based on the theme of personal and cultural expression. With over 60 entries, and 40 making the cut for the gallery display, the competition was fierce. At the time of writing, the results are still being collated adding some extra drama to the final assembly of the term when the results will be announced.

The final points on offer this term will come through the grueling NLCS Endurance Challenge at the end of November.

Timed to coincide with the Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge, all houses and year groups will compete to collectively finish as many laps of the school field as possible in one PE lesson. Willpower and physical resilience as well as real teamwork will divide the winners from the rest.

At the time of writing, the standings in House Competitions for Term One are as follows…

4th = Hafeet = 30 points 3rd = Jais = 36 points 2nd = Yibir = 40 points 1st = Javi = 42 points 16

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HOUSE JAVI

By Rachel Mosses After our successes last year, culminating in winning the House Cup, Javi got off to a fantastic start to Term 1 winning the House Quiz, and placing second in House Public Speaking. As soon as House Competitions started, you could sense the eagerness from the Javi students and their readiness to excel in every task presented to them. Students have been keen to take part in House competitions and are determined to repeat last yearʼs success. We discovered that House Song was not our forte but managed a return to glory with our outstanding House Football performances.

"I have been so proud of each one of them so far - the older students are modelling a positive 'we can conquer anything thrown at us' attitude, and the younger students are excited to try themselves out and be part of such a successful team" It is an absolute pleasure watching them all grow and develop into young adults and leaders of the future.

It was a pleasure to see some familiar faces, and some new ones, at House Dinner and a lovely evening was had by all. It is very reassuring knowing that parents are so supportive of the House and their children.

I look forward to Term 2 and taking part in more sporting events in the cooler weather- it is time for the mighty Javi to hold the Sports Day trophy again!

I wish you all a restful break and look forward to seeing you in the next term.

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HOUSE JAIS

By Chris May What a great first term for Jais it has been. I have been so impressed with the engagement of our Jais Bears with regards to their academics but also their wider involvement in school life. In my most recent House Assembly I spoke to the House about building a portfolio for the future. This can take the form of involvement in a diverse set of ECAs over their time at NLCS Dubai, service to the wider community but also innovating and creating opportunities for themselves and others. In the current educational climate and especially when it comes to making the step into higher education and the world of work, we at NLCS understand the need to stand head and shoulders above others with the same academic profile when it comes to university applications and job opportunities. It is never too early to start building a personal portfolio and for our students to step outside their comfort zone. As we all know, an interesting person is an attractive applicant! One way this can be demonstrated is via student involvement in the House system at NLCS Dubai. I am immensely proud of the House we created back in 2017 and it continues to grow both in number but also in its importance and centrality in school life.

I am very pleased that the two competitions that were either full participation or open to all were victories for Jais this term. House Song is and will always be my favourite competition. As someone who sang in cathedral choirs from the age of six, I understand and am passionate about the benefits that come from collective singing. You do not have to be a great singer but the discipline that is vital for effective choral singing alongside the joy and actual health benefits of singing together are second to none in my opinion. This year, we took a different approach. Rather than a full theatrical production I decided to scale it back and focus on the core elements. A huge body of 150+ singers, all looking identical, moving together, and singing as one worked wonderfully and I know that every single Jais Bear was rightly proud of what they did! I found it very interesting after ʻthe show,ʼ students were self-critical and discussing ways that their performance could have been improved. This immediate self-reflection after a performance perfectly demonstrates the power of choral music in so much that it makes students work together, support each other and drive standards of work to the best that they can be.

We also won the recent House Photography competition which I found very pleasing. At the start of the year, I spoke with the House about collective responsibility and how we can only succeed if we all work together. Whilst the number of entries increased this year and the quality was stunning, there is still a way to go on this front. This one we won but when it comes to House Art, I am expecting full participation. I want the House to reject the notion that things are done for us, and we let things happen to us. The only way we can succeed is by actively engaging and making wonderful things happen ourselves but also supporting each other with passion and pride. On that note I am encouraging our House to support each other outside of school hours. If someone is performing in a concert or play, or playing a match in the sports hall or on the field I would love members of the House to be there, on the sidelines or in the PAC cheering them along and providing that love and encouragement we all need. Letʼs see if this can happen as we move into term two.

To conclude, it has been a good first term, there is no reason to rest on our laurels as the competitions and opportunities will come thick and fast in terms two and three. We always have a good start and things do tend to trail off somewhat. Letʼs keep the motivation going, support each other as a wider House family and make some wonderful memories.

Jais Forever!

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HOUSE YIBIR

By Laura Dunn Well done to all students in Yibir for a fantastic first term and House Competition successes. It has been a delight to see students in all grades working together and trying themselves out. Following a disappointing last place in the House Quiz, we then had our first competition win of the year in House Public Speaking, where both the Junior and Senior teams spoke about the ʻPower of Art.ʼ Well researched and carefully thought-out speeches were delivered with verve and passion, the studentsʼ oracy skills never cease to amaze. Then came the House Song, with a wonderful band, choreography and singing this saw Yibir take second place. Following two exciting weeks of games, Yibir also gained first place in House Football! It is wonderful to see all students coming together in a variety of competitions to explore their skills and interests. A particular thanks goes to all student leaders involved in running and supporting each team and organising students for competitions. Let us hope Term 2 is as successful!

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HOUSE HAFEET

By Georgia Ward It has been a fantastic start to the new term!

I am so proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all Hafeet students when preparing for the House Song competition. As a House we performed Fame with energy and enthusiasm. The collective effort of Hafeet illustrated spirit and collaboration in abundance. The 1980s costumes were incredible, the dance moves were electric, and the singing was fierce. I could not have asked for more from all involved and a special thanks and credit goes to the band members who spent weeks rehearsing. The guitar solo was a highlight of mine!

This term we have also witnessed outstanding work from the Hafeet Public Speakers who addressed the audience with confidence and academic arguments. Both the Junior and Senior teams were outstanding and a huge congratulations to those involved. We have competed in the House Endurance Challenge in PE lessons and have challenged the other houses in the House Football on the Sports field. It has been brilliant to see everyone cheering Hafeet on from the stands and great to see the Sixth Form students supporting younger players from the side lines.

It has been a pleasure to welcome new students from around the world and Dubai to Hafeet over the past term and to see them settling so well highlights the welcoming atmosphere that we have created. It has also been special to witness the Grade 6 students transition into Senior School students and make connections and relationships with older Hafeet students through the vertical tutoring system.

I wish you all a restful Winter Break and hope to welcome everyone back with revived energy and enthusiasm for Term 2.

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Lovesong

By Adam Lea

Our most senior students created a stir this term with their bravura production of Abi Morganʼs Lovesong. The tale of a single couple whose past and present selves collide, Lovesong was performed by an ensemble cast and crew of 28 pupils from Grades 10-12, evenly split between boys and girls, who told the story through a mixture of fine naturalistic acting and ambitious physical theatre. A mature and powerful piece of work, Lovesong challenged the immensely talented cast to dig deep in order to present the shared roles with complexity, integrity, respect, and heart.

Morganʼs heartbreaking but achingly beautiful play first premiered as a professional production with just four actors, two playing the young couple and two playing the old. Our decision to interpret the piece using the 12 couples was not only a conceptual one, as we had to divide the text into sections and devise creative ideas for the transitions as the scenes melted together, but also a practical logistical challenge. Linking these shared roles through costume design was the solution, clearly identifying which actors played each of the four roles.

This truly co-educational, democratic, ensemble style of working perfectly matches with our philosophy at NLCS where every individual shines brightly and is celebrated, but also come together as part of a wider community.

This is reflected in this cast and crew as the show becomes greater than the sum of its parts. The actors and crew supported and lived through each otherʼs scenes, so much so that by production week the whole cast and crew knew almost all of each otherʼs lines from the play. They understood that to successfully communicate the poignancy, love and pain of Maggie and Billyʼs story, they must believe and trust in each otherʼs emotional intelligence and commitment to every moment of performance and my goodness did they deliver.

Lovesong elicited an overwhelming reaction from audience members, cast and crew alike. I am extremely proud of them all for what they have achieved, but I am not surprised. Abi Morganʼs play is a mature, powerful, distressing, beautiful and highly sophisticated text; some might say too much to expect from a cast of school students. However, I have always believed that, given the opportunity and being trusted to deal with grand expectations of their commitment, talent, and skill, pupils of any age should not be underestimated.

Our students can create astonishingly brave, detailed, compassionate and unbearably moving Drama. And as they have proven with this compelling production of Lovesong, the final performance was simply stunning.

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MFL Week

By Neil Redondo MFL Week 2023 has been a tremendous success, and we would like to extend our thanks to all the staff and students who took part in the wide variety of activities that were on offer.

The week started with an assembly focused on seeing language as a portal for culture and our school community has been encouraged to reflect this week on how our language – or languages – shape who we are and how we identify. With over 80 nationalities represented in our school community, we are fortunate to work and study within such a rich cultural milieu.

We have had activities at both breaktime and lunchtime and even a French cinema screening after school one day. Students have built and dismantled the NLCS Berlin Wall, enjoyed French pastries at our French breakfast, watched live flamenco dancing and completed a course in Chinese calligraphy.

Student participation was high, and we had live musical performances to accompany our events. A particular thanks should go to those musicians as well as to Mr. Haas who delivered a Tai Chi class as a culmination to Mandarin Day on Thursday.

Gracias, Merci, Danke Schön, 谢谢

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NLCS Talks

By Sannat, G11

On Tuesday the 14th of November, NLCS Dubai hosted the inaugural edition of NLCS Talks. This event encouraged students from Grades 9-12 to deploy their public speaking skills to display authentic engagement with ideas they were passionate about. With the theme ʻChaos and Order,ʼ this event came from within the student body at NLCS. This entirely student-led event was a celebration of the innate curiosity of students, and the engagement they had fostered with the world around us.

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Sixth Form

By Oliver Russell The Sixth Form has continued to grow, with our largest G11 cohort yet. The additional recruits to the top of the school have made a positive start to their time studying the IBDP course. With larger numbers, Senior Societies have grown in number - new Societies ably formed and led by Grade 11 students including Design, Philosophy, Computer Science, Politics and Music Societies. It has been wonderful to see our students push themselves beyond the IBDP curriculum in this manner, but also through NLCS Talks – a wonderful student-led initiative which was a particular highlight for the Sixth Form.

University applications have been submitted for G12 students and it is always pleasing to see our students attain offers from the top universities internationally, and we wish those with interviews across the Winter Break the best of luck awaiting the decisions from the USA and UK in the New Year. University visits from universities including Cambridge, Imperial, Toronto, George Washington, IE to name but a few have provided many opportunities for our students to gain insights into their options post NLCS. The New Year brings with it new challenges, which I know our students will rise and match. With Mock Examinations for G12 this forms an important time as they focus on the subject-specific requirements now that courseworks have been submitted. I wish all students in the Sixth Form a restful break.

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Junior School News HOUSE EVENTS

By Nicola Ali Our Junior School students have embraced the re-structuring of the house system and have taken on the new identities of their houses, celebrating it during the House breakfasts.

Yellow house is now LouʼLoua meaning 'Pearl'.

Blue house is now Safina meaning 'boat or vessel'.

Green house is now Mirsa meaning 'anchor'.

Red house is now Rubaan meaning 'driving forward'.

The house breakfasts have been a successful opportunity to honor the new houses and have enabled our youngest students to feel a sense of house belonging. The newly elected house captains were also given the opportunity to engage with the students across the whole Junior School during this time.

To acknowledge and celebrate the Dubai 30x30 Challenge, the students took part in a house fitness day which took over many different areas of the school such as the Sports field, playgrounds, and shared areas. The wider community were invited into the school to participate in the event, and we were lucky enough to have a broad spectrum of fitness on offer for the children. We had rugby, football, HIIT workouts, yoga, gymnastics, dance and even smoothie making, for the children to enjoy. The children immersed themselves in the array of fitness activities led by our Junior School teachers, it was truly an event to remember.

Over the winter holidays, the children will participate in a festive decoration competition, igniting their creative talents. Photographs of entries will be uploaded onto Padlet, and the judges will announce their winners on the last day of term.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL HOUSE CAPTAINS Rubaan House Captains

Hi I am Ellie! I am delighted to be your ongoing Rubaan House Captain. I have been a student at NLCS since KG1 and I have had lots of amazing experiences throughout the years. I am a very keen football player, runner, and swimmer. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family, friends and do lots of artwork. Leadership means to help others, build each other up and impact your community. I cannot wait for many adventures that I will experience with Rubaan.

Hello everyone! I am Amar and am thrilled to be this yearʼs Rubaan House Captain! This is my third year at NLCS Dubai; you are safe with me as your leader. In my free time, I enjoy wrestling, swimming, and watching the F1. As a new house, we want to set the trend to bring out the best versions of ourselves and pull one another up to thrive as a community. We are made of winners - so let us WIN! Go Rubaan!

Hello, my name is Nirvan, and I am in my 4th year at NLCS Dubai. This year, I was elected as House Captain for the Rubaan House, which is an honour I will treasure forever! I enjoy all my lessons, especially art and I love sports such as basketball, football, and table tennis. To me, leadership means being a good role model and showing care, courtesy, and consideration. I am an honest and caring person and have excellent communication skills. I love to motivate people to do their best so let us work together to make Rubaan the best House at NLCS! Safina House Captains

Hello, my name is Esmee-Blue, and I am delighted to be your Safina House Captain. I have been at NLCS for a term and a half and those were the best experiences of my life! My hobbies are musical theatre, athletics and especially sprinting. In my free time, I spend time with my family, listen to music but most importantly, I play my instruments. To me, leadership is to be able to create a good relationship with your community and achieving your goals by working hard and helping your colleagues be the best they can be. Let us sail to victory! Go Safina!

Hello everyone! I am Neevah, your House Captain for Safina. I have been at NLCS for three years. At 11 years old, I am enthusiastic about sports, particularly running and football. When I am not on the field, I find joy in reading and exploring my creative side. Meeting new people is something I truly cherish. To me, leadership means guiding, inspiring, and supporting others to achieve their best. It is an incredible honour to be your House Captain, and I am thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you. Let's make Safina shine together!

My name is Hadley, and I am so excited for the upcoming year, as one of your Safina House Captains. I am shockingly starting my 7th year at NLCS (since KG1), so I should have lots of experience from my many years here. I enjoy running, football, swimming and many more sports, I also love reading and singing. I will always love to help you with your problems and give you advice on what you could do to improve. As a leader, I will try to encourage you to push yourself and never put a limit on what you can achieve. Go Safina!

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JUNIOR SCHOOL HOUSE CAPTAINS

Mirsa House Captains My name is Rania, and it is an absolute honour to be your Mirsa House Captain. I now begin my 6th year as a proud member of the Mirsa house, and I have enjoyed every step of the way. I am a passionate netball, football, and rounders player. In my free time I enjoy playing rounders in the garden with my family. I also enjoy baking with my sisters and spending time with my dog. To me leadership is the art of guiding and inspiring others to push themselves to their limits and working together as a team to achieve our goals. I cannot wait to be your House Captain and I will try my best to keep us victorious this year. Go Mirsa!

I am Cara and I am starting my 6th year as a full time Mirsa lover at NLCS. My hobbies are Taekwondo and I love to read. I adore baking and do a bit of sewing now and then. To be a leader means to always have a good attitude and lead with compassion and integrity. I hope you can teach me just as much as I hope to lead you. I cannot wait to lead such a great and wonderful house. Go Mirsa!

My name is Chen, and I am so happy to be Mirsaʼs House Captain. This is my second year at North London Collegiate School, but I know this school well. I have enjoyed this school a lot and enjoyed every moment of my time here. My hobbies are playing basketball and drawing. I also like to scuba dive, my favourite classes are Art, Maths and UOI. For me, a good leaderʼs attitude is being loyal, kind, respectful and the most important one is being honest. Go Mirsa!

LouʼLoua House Captains My name is Zoya, and I am thrilled to be your NLCS Dubai House Captain for LouʼLoua House. I have been a student at NLCS Dubai since Grade 1 and have enjoyed every single moment of it! I am a keen diver and love to play netball. In my free time, I like reading graphic novels and spending time with my family. Leadership means acting for the benefit of others. A good leader is someone who “Knows the Way, Goes the Way and Shows the Way.” Go Lou'Loua!

Hi everybody! My name is Mariia, and I am so excited to be your NLCS Dubai House Captain for the best house, LouʼLoua. This is my second year at NLCS, and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. I absolutely love Sports especially football, basketball, running, tennis, and rock climbing. Besides that, I like Maths and Art. To me leadership means helping, listening, and caring about others. It is also all about being patient, producing innovative ideas and making good decisions. I am so excited to lead our house and make it the best it can be! So, let us have fun and enjoy this fantastic year!

My name is Hridaan, and I am absolutely delighted to be Louʼlouaʼs House Captain. This is my third year at NLCS. My hobbies are playing sports like cricket and squash. In my free time I love to go karting, skiing and scuba diving. Also, I like to read interesting books by David Williams and Roald Dahl. I think leadership means guiding your team down the right path and helping your teammates through obstacles along the way. Together we will accomplish great tasks!

My name is Daniel, and I am so delighted to be one of your House Captains for Lou'loua this year. After 7 years at NLCS Dubai, it has been such a privilege to see the school blossom into a fantastic community. As I am a founding student, I am knowledgeable about the schoolʼs environment, and I am very keen to share my experience here with others. As for my passions, I love playing tennis and spending time outside and engaging in sport. To me, leadership is about inclusivity, and building our strengths as a team for us to get the trophies we deserve. As a leader, I will ensure that everyone is included in the things they love and feel happy at school.

Have a fabulous day and as always, Go Lou'Loua!

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ELLIS ISLAND

By Natasha Morgan Grade 3 students embarked on a journey back in time to 1950, as they delved into the world of migration and the Ellis Island experience. Teachers and Teaching Assistants transformed into Immigration Officers and Medical Staff and students were guided through a series of rigorous processes that mimicked those faced by real migrants at Ellis Island. Our wonderful Grade 3 students embraced this journey with great enthusiasm and curiosity. The primary goal of this immersive drama morning was to bring history and learning to life. We aimed to create a tangible understanding of the Ellis Island experience, and we are proud to say it was a resounding success.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL NICHOLSON LECTURE LAUNCH

By Mark Mullan

The inaugural term of the Junior Nicholson Lecture series has been nothing short of a triumph, showcasing the incredible diversity of knowledge and passion within our teaching community. From thought-provoking discussions on the ever-evolving threat of Artificial Intelligence to delving into the rich history of football, exploring the origins of zero, and even unravelling the geographical mysteries surrounding potatoes—each lecture has been a captivating journey into the realms of expertise and enthusiasm. The Junior Nicholson series not only celebrates the depth of our teachers' knowledge but has also fostered a vibrant learning community that inspires both students and teachers alike. Here is to a term of enlightening talks and the promise of many more to come in Term 2!

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KG1 EXHIBITIONS

By Nathalie Allen To celebrate the culmination of their first unit of inquiry, focusing on 'People express emotions through different The KG1 stude nts succe ssfully conclude d the ir e xploration of pe ople be ing individuals with similaritie s and mediums', students presented theirdge 'Expression Exhibition.' have worked to develop their the ir diffe rethe nce KG1 s. The y share d the ir knowle of the ir he ritage , beThe lie fs,students pre fe re nce s, and characte ristics with understanding the different we can feel, how todidentify theminte and which method of outlet classmate sof and pare nts.emotions This e xhibition highlighte the truly rnational community we they are best part of, identify with. e mphasizing how we can le arn from e ach othe rʼs dive rse backgrounds. The stude nts displaye d re markable The Pre-KG students first inquire into ssing 'Who eWe Are',. with a focus on how se play to understand articulation and confide nce , impre ve ryone We e age rly anticipate e inghelps how them the y continue to de ve lop themselves, others throughout thisaround ye ar. them and forging relationships with each other. As fundamental elements of their settling into school life, the students have shown great development within their self-confidence, resilience and sharing.

GRADE 1 EXHIBITION

By Jack Roberts

Grade 1 had a wonderful time-sharing their learning at our first exhibition of the year, where they explored the essentials of health and wellbeing. The students demonstrated their excellent communication skills as they ventured around the Atrium with their parents. Our hydration station had parents exploring our dehydrated potato experiment, the exercise zone had mini movers in action, the sleep sanctuary taught the importance of rest and recuperation, the nutrition nook explored tasty, nutritious smoothie bowls and the hygiene hub was all about staying fresh and clean.

But that is not all – the studentsʼ artistic flair bloomed with Paul Kleeʼs inspired portraits, showcasing the creative use of warm and cool colours with every stroke. Neurological art took centre stage, connecting the mind and canvas as we explored mindfulness. Half-face portraits reflected the importance of recognising the things that make us happy.

Finally, the students crafted their own storybooks about the couch potato with titles like ʻThe Lazy Lemon,ʼ ʻProud Peach,ʼ and ʻThe Silly Strawberry,ʼ weaving imaginative tales that inspire a balanced approach to screen time and relaxation.

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GRADE 2 EXHIBITION

By Fiona Collins

Grade 2 exhibition was a manifestation of all their artistic skills and their learning. When exploring the concept of personal experiences influencing artists, Grade 2 researched artists from Van Gogh to Jeff Koons to gather an array of techniques. They took inspiration from Van Gogh to create their own swirls using oil pastels and used the iconic Dubai skyline to represent the ʻStarry Night.ʼ In their computing, they focused on Yayoi Kusamaʼs endless modern art and created their own 3D printed dots replicating the artistʼs favourite shape. They even managed to create art alongside their parents in an art workshop where they practised sewing on their poem collage. When visiting Jam Jar, Grade 2 created a painting based on a “window into a memory” yet again inspired by personal experiences. Finally, they created their own art piece independently based on their life experience and were able to express their choices eloquently.

GRADE 4 EXHIBITION

By Lisa Roberts Grade 4 students have been hard at work preparing for this exhibition where they displayed their knowledge, skills, and attributes they have developed throughout the central idea, ʻExploration leads to discoveries, opportunities and new understandings.ʼ Throughout the unit, students have displayed excellent teamwork, creativity, and research skills. Each group was tasked with creating Stargazing episodes to describe the Solar System and to explain the different phenomena on Earth such as day and night. Students have also been merchants journeying along the hazardous Silk Road, trading their myriad of goods. In addition to this, students have demonstrated their use of figurative language when writing their Amazon rainforest setting descriptions. The support of parents at the event not only inspired our students but also provided valuable feedback and encouragement for their continued academic and personal growth.

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TEAM NLCS

By Mike Wernham

"Competition always makes you stronger and better. Competition is feared only by the weak."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sport success can be judged in different forms, be that silverware, improved performances or even playing competitive sport for the first time, all of which has occurred this term. Whilst only in Term 1 NLCS Dubai has already fielded 50 teams across both schools enabling 551 students to compete in competitive sport. Below outlines some incredible performances and new additions to NLCS Sport.

SWIMMING Numerous individual medals in Elite Galas, 48 Personal Bests with 45 students competing.

First development Swim Squad added to NLCS Sport provision.

Senior School B team entering DASSA leagues.

CROSS COUNTRY Individual medals.

2 Secondary teams finishing within the top 5 schools at DASSA. FOOTBALL First time fielding U8 and U10 football teams.

Football teams entered DASSA leagues increased from 4 to 8 in Junior School.

Football teams entered DASSA leagues increased from 6 to 10 in Senior School.

3 teams, at time of writing, undefeated.

NETBALL First time fielding U8 and U10 Netball teams.

Netball teams entered DASSA leagues increased from 2 to 4 in Junior School.

Netball teams entered DASSA leagues increased from 3 to 5 in Senior School.

3 teams entered the inaugural BSAK 7s competition with notable performances going to the U15 team winning the plate and team captain awarded player of the tournament.

2 teams, at time of writing, undefeated.

With continued efforts and conditioning improvements scheduled over the coming weeks and terms, the road ahead is looking very bright for NLCS Sport.

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ENJOY YOUR WINTER BREAK!

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