SZPAG Newsletter 2022_23 Volume 1

SZPAG NEWSLETTER

HONORING THE PAST. EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE.

WELCOME BACK!

OUR MISSION

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy aims to honor the past and educate for the future by developing confident, responsible and caring young people of integrity who are well educated and prepared to meet the challenges in an ever changing world.

OUR VALUES

To achieve our mission, we will work to our core values which are:

Pursue excellence in all that we do Celebrate achievement and participation of all Appreciate and foster UAE National Identity Cherish the community and the environment Promote Emirati culture and ethical values Promote respect, responsibility, belonging and caring

Develop leadership capacity and global citizenship

Table of Contents

Early

Principal’s Welcome

Dear parents,

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2022 2023 We have had a tremendous start to the year, much of which you will get to read about in this newsletter. It is, of course, wonderful to have all the children back in school and no longer having to offer Distance Learning is a real blessing for teachers. They can once again focus on the children in front of them and really support them to make the very best progress they can.

We have made this our “Year of Academic Rigor”. Right across the school, from KG to grade 12, we are focusing on the academic attainment of our students Two and a half years of disrupted learning is being purposefully addressed, and teachers are working exceptionally hard to make sure that any gaps that may have occurred during the pandemic are now being closed. This is particularly true in secondary school, where the addition of much tougher university entry requirements means a far more competitive future for all of our students

With all students back in school, ADEK have made MAP testing and CAT4 testing compulsory and your children’s grades in these assessments will be shared with ADEK.This is now a requirement of all schools in Abu Dhabi. We are working hard in school to support your children to perform as well as possible in these exams.

Thank you to all of the parents who completed our survey to confirm they have received a copy of our Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct. If you have not yet had a chance to fill it in, please look for the email sent to you on 20th September

The other big joy of 2022 – 2023 is once again being able to welcome parents into the building. From KG to grade 5, parents are now welcome to come into school to meet their children’s teachers every day between 7:30 and 8:00. We have a wealth of other opportunities planned for you to come into school to work with us for the betterment of your children. I look forward to sharing news of our “Parents in Partnership” program with you very soon

Together, we are going to have a great year.

Yours in education

Carolyn Bailey Principal

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The weeks are flying by, and it is so lovely to be back in school. We are all enjoying having parents back in the building and it is wonderful to see you every day. We are really pleased that we are now able to once again make the most of our learning environment and the teachers have worked so hard to develop learning centers that capture the imagination and curiosity of young learners which support them in their learning.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

We are so very proud of all our children and how they have settled into the new school year The behavior of our students is very good, and they are working hard in class. Our Grade 1 students, with support from their teachers, are adapting to the longer day and the expectations now as they are the oldest children in the building. Our KG 2 children are enjoying working with their new teachers and are working hard to follow the routines and meet the expectations. In KG1 we are very impressed with the attitude of all the children and how quickly they have adapted to school life. They are learning about school routines and expectations as they start their more formal learning journey.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

We were super excited to receive approval from ADEK to open Pre KG. The Pre KG team have worked hard to develop the learning environment and have planned learning activities for the children. Already we can see a huge development in the children as they adapt from home to school They are learning to be more independent and confident in the school setting, taking turns and sharing. We ran our first workshop for Pre KG parents, and it was lovely that so many of you were able to attend We hope you found the workshop useful and that it gave you an understanding of what happens in school and how to support your child at home. We will be running a more detailed workshop about how children learn in Pre KG on October 11th.

It was fabulous to have so many of you attend our meet the teacher event last week. The children valued the opportunity of sharing their learning with you and the teachers enjoyed talking about how your children are settling into class and answering any queries you have

Backpacks

Please make sure that your children are able to carry their own backpacks to school, as you know we do not allow children to bring trolley bags to school. They are dangerous because children can fall over them Our security staff regularly weigh bags to ensure that they meet ADEK guidelines

Collection from School

Pre KG KG1 and KG2 finish promptly at 12:35 pm Monday to Thursday and at 12:00 pm on a Friday.

Grade 1 finish at 2:45 pm Monday to Thursday and at 12:00 pm on a Friday.

Please ensure that you or your staff arrive promptly to collect your children from school. It is best if you have several pickups to collect your youngest children first as they become stressed and upset if their friends have left and you are late. We thank you for your understanding.

World Teacher's Day

Parent in Partnership Program PIP

October 10th Grade 1-5

Islamic Question Time 12:45 pm 1:00 pm via Zoom

October 11th Learning in Pre KG

12:30 1:00 pm in the Parent Center in the Elementary Building

October 12th Using Technology at home Pre KG to Grade 1

8:00 am - 8:30 am in the Parent Center in Elementary Building

ELEMENTARY

The start of the new academic year

I can’t believe we are halfway through the first half term and moving swiftly towards the mid term break. Your children have adapted incredibly well to change, with a new school or building for some, new classrooms, teachers, and a change in routines in their new grade level.Following on from important team building events during the first week, expectations have been outlined and new learning and challenges are fully underway. I wish every child an academically productive and enjoyable year ahead.

Summer Reading Project

It was great to see how far the students travelled with their reading over the Summer break. They collected reading miles, through reading English and Arabic books and completing reading activities. They traveled to different Emirates, continents, or cities of the world. The maps on their reading posters shared their reading journeys. It was fantastic that they kept their reading going over the long break and strengthened their love of reading. The students who engaged in the project will be receiving their certificates in assembly very soon.

Summer Reading

Meet the Teacher Event

Towards the end of the first week of term, we invited parents in to meet their child’s new teacher for this year and learn about the routines and systems of the new grade. It was fantastic to see so many of you attend in person and that others of you were able to attend remotely on Teams. The importance of building partnerships with our parents is paramount to us, so this event was key to setting the wheels in motion As parents are now able to bring their children in to class in the mornings between 7:30-8 am, this is also a time when you can chat with the class teacher, providing they are not busy supporting students in class. You are always very welcome to set up a meeting with the class teacher at a mutually convenient time if you would like to discuss something privately relating to your child, either academically or socially

Celebration Assemblies

Our first celebration assemblies have taken place and it was amazing to gather the children together to celebrate their in school achievements Each week we hold joint assemblies for Grades 2 and 3 and Grades 4 and 5 in the Elementary gym Through our assembly, we will be exploring the SZPAG ‘My Identity’ programme, and also ‘Learner Agency’, as we explore the values and attitudes the students can bring to taking control of their learning and their personal development Within the assemblies, the Stars of the Week are recognized and Head of School Awards are presented to one child per grade We also celebrate the class in each Grade with the best attendance and punctuality, award our Library trophy, and celebrate the PE and Music class awards As you can see you have a lot of celebrating to do, which the students love! One of my highlights of the week is the Head of School’s picnic, where the Head of School award students from the week are invited to talk about what they are proud of and share in a sweet treat to celebrate their achievement

MAP IT Monday and MAP Testing

This year in Grades 2-5 we are starting an initiative called ‘MAP IT Monday’ to support students when taking their MAP assessments throughout the school year. Every Monday during lessons 3, 4 and 5, the students in each grade will be broken up into groups according to their RIT range, which is the score they earned on their term 3 MAP assessments. The students will then work on activities that will expose them to MAP style questions and vocabulary, which will increase their confidence when accessing the assessments. Teaching during these lessons will be targeted at closing any gaps the students might have in that RIT range.

In November, March, and June all students from Grade 3 up will be taking Reading, Math, Language Usage, and Science MAP assessments. Grade 2 will sit Reading and Math. These assessments will help to inform you and your child’s teacher about your child’s progress and attainment in each of these subject areas. Teachers will use this data to inform the planning of MAP IT Monday and daily lessons in the classroom for these subject areas.

On 12th October, we will be holding a ‘Parents in Partnership’ event where you can learn more about MAP IT Monday and ways to support your child with MAP assessments. Please be on the lookout for more information regarding this event. We very look forward to seeing you all there.

3 new roles established in Elementary this year

Introductions

I would like to introduce you to 3 new roles established in Elementary this year to strengthen our curriculum, teaching and learning, and drive progress and attainment standards for our students.

Ms Laura has taken on the role of Math Curriculum Lead, Ms Sibhne is our newELA Lead and Ms Kim is our Science Lead. You will meet them when they lead curriculum meetings throughout the year and your children will get to know them well, as they will be teaching classes and working with them during centers and support groups in lessons.

Curriculum Update – ELA (English Language Arts)

This year will be full of exciting initiatives and opportunities for success in ELA We are keen to nurture a love of reading in all our students. All grades will be taking part in guided reading groups, and teachers are currently implementing our student led ‘Daily 5’ program. Students have been doing a fantastic job choosing their workstations and working independently. We strongly encourage students to read outside of school, whether it be a trip to a library, reading to themselves or reading to a family member. We strive to provide each child with the skills to read independently, improve fluency, and overcome challenges. This year we are developing highly tailored and individualized phonic lessons Students in grades 2 and 3 will be strengthening their phonic skills in a new centers-based approach to language learning. Building upon the success of last year, students will again be taking part in the Talk 4 Writing program.

Students will learn how to write narrative, information, and opinion texts following the Talk 4 Writing unique approach of imitation, innovation, invention. They are having lots of fun practicing their actions in groups and as a class while also learning language and text features. Students cherish the opportunity to demonstrate their new learning for their family and friends. Practicing their actions and model text at home is an excellent way to build their confidence and consolidate learning. Parents will have the opportunity to learn more about Talk 4 Writing this term in an ELA event taking place on Wednesday 9th November at 1.45pm. In this session parents will be introduced to Talk 4 Writing, the approach used by teachers, and how parents can best support their child’s writing at home. Further details will follow closer to the event.

Curriculum Update – Math

This year will be mathematically marvelous! We have started the year by training the teachers in a new program called Singapore Math. The beginning of this term has seen great excitement from staff and students about math and you can actively see this in the classrooms Grades 2 and 3 have started the year with addition and subtraction using their number bonds. It has been wonderful to see practical resources in action and powerful new strategies being taught. In Grades 4 and 5 they have started the year revisiting times tables and exploring all the facts they know and are ready to apply these skills to a range of mathematical problem solving and topics.

All students will have the opportunity to deep dive into a specific area of math during ‘MAP IT Monday.’

This will support them with their understanding of the focused mathematical area as well as learning vocabulary, working as a group, and completing challenges to support their understanding. It is important that our young mathematicians continue to practice their number bonds or times tables. They can do this with a parent or on their iPad, on the Numbots or Times Tables Rockstars Apps. The class newsletter will suggest practical ways at home, that you can support your children develop their mathematical skills, linked to their learning in class.

All parents will be invited to an introduction to the Singapore Math program on the 16th November at 1:45pm. Further details will follow closer to the time.

Curriculum Update – Science

This year will be an exciting year in science! Students will be participating in a wider range of practical activities and experiments Our focus is on embedding science and engineering skills into each Grade’s thematic topic explored. Our lessons provide meaningful contexts and experiences that support the children to fully understand the concepts being taught. We are introducing the children to ‘Study Island’, which is a similar programme to EXACT Path which will further develop their reasoning skills alongside their ‘MAP IT Monday’ science session, where children will have the opportunity to deep dive into an area of science through learning centers.

It is important that young scientists ask questions and make connections to their own lives. It has been wonderful to see some students making links to what they have learned in class, to things that they have seen or done at home and even during their lunch breaks! In your child’s class newsletter, you will find weekly enrichment challenges for your child to try at home if they choose, which will further develop what they have learned in school.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) ½ Termly Project

As an optional part of the homework for Elementary, we offer a half termly STEM project. The students can choose to participate in this activity, which we highly encourage. Our aim is to make these projects as practical, fun, and engaging as possible and an opportunity for the students to apply their skills from the classroom.The students’ efforts and motivation will be recognized. Look out for the project that Ms Kim will be sending out shortly.

Parents in Partnership Book Looks

To give parents the opportunity to see what your children have been learning in class, as we are moving back to using notebooks in class, rather than the students completing most of their work on Seesaw on their devices, we are inviting parents in on set dates to look at your child’s books We have scheduled a book look each half term, where parents can accompany their child to their class between 7.30 8am. Your child will then be able to talk you through the work that they have been doing and also show you work that they have on display in the classroom. It will allow them to take pride in their work and also for you to see how they are progressing. The teachers will be on hand in case you have any questions The first book look will be on Tuesday 11th October We hope you can attend

Swimming

The Grades 4 and 5 students have responded enthusiastically to being able to use the school swimming pool again for their PE lessons this term. Under the expert instruction of Ms. Kerry, the students are developing their water confidence, water safety, and stroke technique. Swimming is great exercise and an important life skill, so it is great to see them back in the water.

What a fabulous start to the term with the re launch of ECAs for Elementary on Tuesdays after school. We have over 150 students enrolled in the broad range of ECAs we have on offer. We have Future Leaders in Training, Art in Motion, Fiestas in Spanish, Photo Snapping, Arabic reading and much, much more! There are still places available in some of the ECAs, so why not join the school newspaper ECA and discover skills as a photographer, a journalist, or even an editor, or take part in ECO Warriors and help SZPAG play our part in protecting our planet.

For any new registrations, please email Ms. Kerry at eca _coordinator@zayedacademy.ac.ae and she will be able to facilitate your needs.

I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming curriculum and parent engagement events. Thank you for your support, working in partnership with our teachers to invest in your children.

Ms Nicola Head of Elementary

A warm welcome back!

Our Secondary students have had an amazing start to the new school year. It has been wonderful to see all students in classrooms, learning together, once again. We are very proud of how our students have taken this in their stride and how they have focused on their learning. Hopefully, everyone will have a great year back in school we can’t wait to share this school year with them.

Thank you to all parents who attended our Meet and Greet events to meet your daughter’s homeroom teachers and Heads of Year. We hope these were helpful in connecting you with the right people and in helping you to understand the expectations and responsibilities of both your daughter and the school.

Parent Information Events

Parent Information Events

29th September

Middle School Curriculum Information Evening (5pm 5:45pm)

5th October – G9-10

G9 10 High School Curriculum and Graduation Information Evening (5pm 5:45pm)

6th October – G11-12

G11-12 High School Curriculum and Graduation Information Evening (5pm-5:45pm)

Extra Curricular Activities

ECAs are once again up and running on a Tuesday after school. Students have been keen to join Basketball, School Show, Knitting and Crochet, Canvas Painting, Active Club, Prophet Stories from the Quran, Young Historian Club, and many others! It has been great to see so many students sign up for after school events

As well as Creative Clubs, we also have a number of support clubs running, which students can sign up for on a weekly basis if they need any help in Math, Science, English, ESS, and so on. They can also join EmSAT and SAT Prep clubs in a variety of subjects. Please do encourage your daughter to drop in if she requires any extra help or support with her subject work

Dismissal

Thank you to all parents who have downloaded the PikMyKid app and added your drivers or nannies as delegates. This has enabled us to make dismissal a much smoother process. If you have not yet downloaded the app or signed the people who collect your daughter up to it, we would very much appreciate if you could do this at the soonest. The instructions can be found in your emails.

Smart Start

This year, we have introduced a ‘Smart Start’ program, to introduce your daughter to various platforms and apps that she will use throughout the year, to ensure that students are aware of how to use all of the different platforms fully. As well as this, we have gone over key policies with students in the first four weeks of term so that all students are aware of the expectations and responsibilities they have in school. All of these presentations and videos are stored in your daughter’s Homeroom courses, under ‘Assemblies’ and ‘Smart Start’ so that she can refer back to them at any time.

Reward Events

Each half term, we will host student Reward Events. This half term, our Reward Events will be ‘An Evening at the Movies’. Students are invited in to school for a movie in the Theatre and cinema style snacks served in the cafeteria. These events will take place in school the week before half term. Students will be invited to sign up if they have more than 50 points and less than 12 demerits on epraise at the end of Week 6.

Grade 12 NYU Workshop

This workshop will take place in school on Tuesday 27th September from 3-4pm. All Senior Grade 12 students will be invited to attend. More information will be shared through Homeroom and on Schoology by Ms Pascale.

SAT and PSAT Dates

The next SAT will take place on Saturday 1st October!

Well done!

To all of our Juniors and Seniors (Grade 11 and 12 students) who have signed up for this SAT session so that you can begin your SAT journey to ensure you achieve the best possible results by the end of Grade 12!

All Freshmen (Grade 9 students)

Will sit the PSAT exam in school on Thursday 27th October. This exam will help students and teachers to identify strengths and areas for development as pupils begin to work towards SAT and EmSAT exams in their Junior and Senior year of High School.

Dear Parents,

We welcome our dear students back to their classrooms that missed their voices and laughter. Students are here again to welcome the new academic year with more achievements and successes. In their first days, our students had a variety of activities that helped them recall what they had previously learnt in preparation for starting their new learning.

At the Sheikh Zayed Academy, we dedicate all our efforts to encourage our students to reach the best of their abilities by providing modern educational methods that take into account their levels and interests, enrich their knowledge and experience, and make them independent and able to engage in all areas of life, so that the student is a good citizen for himself, his family, and his country.

We welcome you back to the new academic year and to our school community which is always striving for the best. May we always be up to your expectations. We wish you a very happy and successful academic year.

Best regards, Jacky Boulos Head of Arabic

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Sheikh Zayed Academy for Girls is launching "Arabi" program at the beginning of the academic year 2022-2023. As the wise leadership of the UAE is keen to preserve the Arabic language and reinforce it amongst students, the “Arabi” program at the Academy seeks to support the Arabic language in grades KG1-12 as part of the academic program. This is done to enhance students’ skills and enable them to take pride in the Arabic language and acquire the required abilities and confidence that will enable them to use it in their daily lives. The program was prepared according to studies that included the best practices and research in the field of Arabic language at the local and international levels.

“Arabi” Program:

Welcoming the New Academic Year:

Students expressed their joy on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year by designing cards and playing some purposeful educational games.

Arabic

In order to enhance communication with parents and involve them in the educational process, an orientation session was held to introduce the curricula and enrichment activities offered by the Arabic department. During the session, time was set for questions and inquiries on the learning and support methods used in the department. We wish our students a year full of achievements and success.

“My Books” is an educational platform that helps learners practice Arabic language skills. It contains more than 1,600 stories classified according to the international standards for leveled reading and divided by topic and age group. The Academy used the platform this year to support guided reading.

First Orientation Session on Arabic Department Curricula:

Arabic Language Department:

“Kutubee/My Books” Platform:

Extra-curricular Activities (ECAs)

Out of our great concern for the interest of our students at the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls, extra curricular activities have been launched for the first term to help improve the quality of time students spend at school and help them build their self-esteem and enhance their self-confidence in addition to developing their work ethics and encouraging them to develop their academic performance.

Arabic Language Department

The (I Read with My Family) Program:

The Elementary and Secondary Arabic Language Department is pleased to announce the launch of the (I Read with My Family) program for the third year in a row. This is an innovative project that works mainly to spread the culture of reading among school students so that reading becomes a way of life according to a specific methodology through a long term plan.

Program Objectives for the Academic Year 2022-2023:

1. Developing students' writing and reading skills.

2. Spreading the spirit of competition/competitiveness among students.

3. Employing the student's passion for creating digital stories using modern technologies and software and integrating them with language skills.

4. Encouraging and developing students’ talents in drawing the events and characters of a digital story.

5. Strengthening the role of the Arabic language as an incubator for our identity and heritage and instilling its love in the hearts of its children.

Education

Islamic Education Department

The start of the new academic year 2022-2023 coincided with the Hijri year 1444. Thus, Islamic education teachers celebrated this occasion with students in the first weeks. Students were reminded of the lunar months, how to calculate these months, and how to adopt them along with the Gregorian calendar.

Recitation of the Holy Quran

This year, the Department of Islamic Education at the Academy focuses on enhancing the skill of recitation and tajweed/intonation. Therefore, students evaluated themselves in this skill and determined their levels. After that, a lesson was set each month to enhance this skill and train middle and high school students. As for elementary students, a recitation lesson was allocated every two weeks in order to train students on proper recitation and intonation. The department's teachers encouraged and motivated students to pay attention to recitation through various reinforcement programs such as reinforcement boards in classrooms and ePraise program. Various strategies will be used to support students and help them develop themselves in reciting the Holy Quran.

Designing a Model of the Globe

Grade 3 students designed a model of the globe using clay and watercolors to identify the world's continents and the bodies of water on it.

Social Studies

Reinforcement of the Research and Investigation Skills:

The Social Studies Department is keen to implement the skill of research and investigation. Thus, students collected information about the civilization of the Nile Valley and wrote it down and then summarized it in the form of a mind map and made a presentation on the Puppet Pals2 program.

Social Studies

Using “Google Earth” Program

During social studies classes, students used "Google Earth" program to determine the relative and geographical position of the United Arab Emirates and the terrain on a blind map.

The Visual Mind Map Strategy:

Mind maps are a useful educational tool to help students exchange ideas about any topic and think creatively. Mind maps are especially useful in the writing process as they provide students with a natural way of thinking and help them build ideas on the main topic. Grade 9 students used a variety of maps to study the constitution of the United Arab Emirates. The lesson ideas were arranged and organized as they saw fit for their learning.

Social Studies Department

The Emirati Women’s Day (28th of August)

On August 28th, the UAE celebrates the "Emirati Women's Day" which represents an important and distinguished national occasion to celebrate Emirati women. The Emirati Women's Day is an opportunity to express official and popular pride in the achievements of the "daughters of UAE" and their outstanding contribution to the civilizational renaissance and the sustainable development journey of countries.

This year's celebration comes under the slogan "An Inspiring Reality.. a Sustainable Future," based on the directives of Her Highness, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. This is to express the current reality of Emirati women and show that they represent a role model and an important source of inspiration for many women around the world with the achievements and gains they have achieved at all levels during the past fifty years, which are considered a foundation for future foresight that must be preserved to ensure building a sustainable and secure future for Emirati women

Grade 7 students participated in the celebration by choosing an Emirati female figure distinguished by her

Grade 6 students participated in the celebration by designing a logo for this national occasion.

SZPAG students have participated in many activities celebrating Saudi Arabia's 92 National Day.nd

The Inclusion Department

INCLUSION TEAM

The SZPAG Inclusion team welcomes our community to another academic year. If you have a child who is a member of the Inclusion group, please keep in regular contact with the inclusion lead for your respective phase.

Meet the Team

Phase

Inclusion lead teacher

Email

EC Ms Jo Higgins joanne.higgins@zayedacademy.ac.ae

Elementary Ms

Alicia Smartt alicia.smartt@zayedacademy.ac.ae

Secondary Ms

Amal Absiye amal.absiye@zayedacademy.ac.ae

Overseeing the department Ms Deborah Sharifi Deborah.sharifi@zayedacademy.ac.ae

The Inclusion Department

Our teacher leads are aided by our Inclusion Assistants

Phase Inclusion

Assistant Email

EC Ms Saj Adams sajida.adams@zayedacademy.ac.ae

Elementary Ms

Shaheed Mushtaq Ms

Darlene Nacional

shaheen.mushtaq@zayedacademy.ac.ae darlene.nacional@zayedacademy.ac.ae

Secondary Ms

Junel Babuyo junel.babuyo@zayedacademy.ac.ae

As we start a new year, our teacher leads are updating and reviewing the IEP’s. They are working closely with the teachers to help support and provide the best access for your child whilst they are at our school.

The Inclusion Department

Some parents may have received a letter from our inclusion team asking for your consent to be able to give some temporary and targeted intervention to your child. This occurs where we see gaps in a child’s learning. For example, a child may need some help to close a reading gap. In this instance we would provide targeted intervention, particularly at a younger age, which will significantly help a child become more confident and thus a happier learner. If you do receive one of our consent forms, please sign it and return it to us as soon as possible.

We are looking forward to a successful year ahead.

The Digital Innovation team

As I am sure you will agree, SZPAG continues to trail blaze in its use of integrated technology to really empower, embed, and equip all our students in their learning. The digital literacy of our students is incredible, and it is a joy to see them switch from one platform to another in a seamless transition of confidence. Through the use of ‘real time’ feedback we take formative assessment to the next level and using the data generated from the various activities our students do on their iPads, such as using the gamification platforms like ‘Quizzes’, our students can really begin to engage with identifying their own strengths and weaknesses and set their own individual targets.

Our use of technology also extends to you as parents. You can see live gradebooks on Schoology, gain insight into your child’s participation at school through Seesaw and monitor their behavior and approach to learning through epraise. If you have daughters in the Secondary school, you can also see how often they are out class through the smartpass application. All of this information is at your fingertips and parents have never been so well informed. All you need to do is make sure you have downloaded the apps and are logged in.

Pikmykid is a new app we have invested in to help with student dismissal. At the moment we are only using it in our secondary building. It is essentially a more sophisticated version of the previous Microsoft Teams dismissal system we were using, but adds a much greater level of safety and security. Once you have downloaded the app for your children you can alert the school yourself when you drive through the gates. As with all new systems, it does take a little bit of practice to get used to it. School would appreciate if you also spoke with your daughters about being vigilant for their alert and then be quick to leave the school once called.

Child protection and Safeguarding

We at SZPAG believe that all children in school have the right to receive the necessary care and should be safeguarded at all times. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. As a part of this commitment, all staff receive annual safeguarding training. Teachersare able to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect and follow clear school procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. All of the SZPAG community members recognize their moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students.

Child protection and Safeguarding

The school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead who are members of the school leadership team. They are appropriately trained to carry out the functions necessary to ensure the ongoing safety and protection of students. Being members of the school’s leadership team, they have the status and authority within the school to carry out their duties effectively.

This year the school has invested in a new central platform for staff to report any safeguarding issues to ensure all cases are recorded, tracked and followed up.