The Wave - December 2018

GES Word Parade

This year GES celebrated its eighth annual book week, embracing new and old traditions. Over the years Book Week has become a much anticipated series of activities designed to celebrate reading – in any language and in any format.

Activities of book week are – DEAR time, design a book mark, poem in your pocket, vocabulary parade, and - the students favorite – pajama day. The Vocabulary Parade at the end of the week has evolved over the years, moving away from a book character dress up theme to dress up as words. It is amazing to see the imaginative and ingenious efforts of students across the grades, as they parade their costumes to reflect the “vocabulary” word of their choice.

The venue for the parade - the basketball court, the weather and the enthusiasm of everyone, made this the best By parade so far!

By Vivien Sewell, GES Librarian

December 20, 2018

In a nutshell: Summaries of December’s PAC meetings Secondary PAC: • Mr Richard Davies (The Activities Office Director) presented to PAC around the arrangements and cost of trips.

In summary; - Travel bookings are made through the University’s Travel Office (Kanoo Travel) as per KAUST Travel Policy. The school asks the Travel Office for the lowest logical airfare and accommodation.

- For students travelling on school/sporting trips, parents can contact Mr Richard Davies, Mr David Tigchelaar or Mr Dwane Harris in an emergency.

- Homestays were discussed. The school advised that, whenever possible, the school uses hotels, because of safeguarding considerations.

Kindergarten PAC: • No meeting for December • As a reminder: Parents are encouraged to contact the KG PAC if they have suggestions around topics for PAC meetings: - Sagar P. Parajuli - sagar.parajuli@kaust.edu.sa - Hind Aljohani - Hind.johani@kaust.edu.sa - Shan Yang - Shan.yang@kaust.edu.sa - Shuyu Sun - shuyu.sun@kaust.edu.sa - S. Mani Sarathy - mani.sarathy@kaust.edu.sa

• The school described the wide range of measures that have been put in place to increase student performance in mathematics, including additional staffing, training by a consultant, improved curriculum documentation, analysis of assessment data, purchase of classroom textbooks, use of maths manipulatives and math booster clubs after school

Elementary PAC:

• Bullying was raised at the meeting. The issue of bullying is discussed with students in Life Skills classes. The school reiterated its position around responding to situations immediately when brought to our attention.

• Overview of ongoing development with Arabic Curriculum, including discussion of: - New Phased-Based Programming - Work with Arabic language consultant - Development of new Arabic assessments

• As a reminder: Parents are encouraged to contact the GSS PAC if they have suggestions around topics for PAC meetings:

• Discussion of Mother Tongue Program, including: - Current program details - Suggestions for further development of program - Inside Play Options During Warm Weather Months

- Marleen Stuyck - stuyckmarleen@gmail.com - Amr Atiah - amr.atiah@kaust.edu.sa - Ming-Ming Chou - mingming.chou@kaust.edu.sa - Cherine Fayad - cherine.fayad@kaust.edu.sa - Alexandra Aguiar Gomes Alexandra.Gomes@kaust.edu.sa - Niveen Khashab - niveen.khashab@kaust.edu.sa - Brian Ross - brian.ross@kaust.edu.sa

As a reminder: Parents are encouraged to contact the GES PAC if they have suggestions around topics for PAC meetings: - Anna Rautek - anna.rautek@kaust.edu.sa - Caroline Knowles - caroline.knowles@kaust.edu.sa - Kathy Farrell - kathy.farrell@kaust.edu.sa - Claire Manchon - claire.manchon@kaust.edu.sa - Hadeel Al Sulaimany hadeel.sulaimany@kaust.edu.sa

https://www.facebook.com/TheKAUSTSchool/ Click Here

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From the Director The past few weeks have been full of events and performances including Book Week Assemblies, Model United Nations, Spirit Week, Kindergarten and Elementary Field Days, Open Days, the Musical, GSS Variety Show, SAIKAC Soccer and the list goes on. It’s been an exciting time and I know we are all looking forward to a well-deserved break.

During the break we encourage you to help your child learn by ensuring that daily reading takes place. This investment pays huge dividends because reading is connected to achievement in every academic discipline.

While the school is closed for the Winter Break, in case of emergency, please contact our Operations Department on 808 5316.

We look forward to kicking off again after the break on Sunday, January 6, 2019.

Until then, we wish you and your families a safe and happy break!

Contents

PAC Summaries

From Kindergarten

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2 From Elementary

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Counselors Corner

From Secondary

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Activities News

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from Justin Somerville, KG Principal We are very lucky to have such a wonderful KG campus here at KAUST which actively supports physical, social, intellectual and emotional development. With the weather being so nice, classes have also taken opportunities to explore different parts of our community to enhance their learning. Trips have included; visiting the Monument beach, South beach, Tamimi, the KAUST nursery, the golf course, the University, the CMOR Building and the skate park to name a few.

Field trips are recognized as an integral part of learning; a shared social experience that provides the opportunity for children to encounter and explore different environments in an authentic setting. Further to this, they also increase children's knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. We are incredibly fortunate to have access to these amazing spaces, right here on our doorstep.

Justin Somerville KG Principal

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The Circus Comes to K3!

The K3’s have been learning that ‘teamwork’ can help us accomplish goals. After watching a related video clip about a circus, K3 students in Ms. Kate’s class proposed the idea of creating their own circus. Over the week, the children put what they had been learning about into action.

Together they planned, prepared and performed their own circus outside the classroom in front of an audience of parents. The acts were researched and practiced; costumes were discussed and put together; invitations and signs were created; the programme was negotiated; and much more.

This experience involved many of the PYP approaches to learning, as well as developed many of the attributes of the learner profile.

It was remarkable to see this group take ownership and come together to make this show happen – true TEAMWORK in action!

by Ms. Kate Loucks, K3 Teacher

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Books, Books, Books in KG

The children had much to celebrate in the KG, with annual Book Week held in the ďŹ rst week of December. There were a variety of activities across KG to join, as well as fun events in the classes themselves.

Local community authors and illustrators Becky Kent, Bill Kelly and Susan Bryceland offered storytelling sessions. Children brought favorite poems, rhymes, and books to school to share with classmates. Children even had opportunities to dress up as they came to school for pajama day, or as a favorite book character for the Book Character parade!

In the classrooms, much fun was to be had as well as special visitors came to read stories to children in a variety of languages. Some classes chose favorite books and decorated their doors or classrooms in theme, while others took inspiration from their favorite authors or characters to create art or stories. Some classes even prepared special food treats that went along with the books they read.

However, all classes read many, many books!

The main idea of Book Week is to celebrate books and reading. We hope you all enjoy some wonderful books over the winter holiday, and get to read or enjoy a story, too! You can visit the website of your school library to get some ideas of what is to read next!

By Candace Taylor-Weber, KG Librarian & Technology Coach

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Books, Books, Books in KG

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from Chye de Ryckel, GES Associate Principal Central to an IB education is a child’s development of attributes as described through the IB learner profile. These attributes illustrate a broad range of abilities and responsibilities that reach beyond academic success and are at the heart of learning and teaching at GES. Teachers are committed to supporting students in becoming inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective both in school and beyond.

The student council has taken an active role in developing the community’s understanding of these attributes by promoting one each month. In November the focus was balanced. A child who is balanced understands the need to give time to the different aspects of our lives intellectual, physical, and emotional - to achieve overall well-being. During morning announcements we heard friendly reminders about ways we can maintain balance throughout the school day, for example, by staying hydrated and playing Photo by Reece Lennon with friends during breaks. As part of the GES Guest Speaker Series, the student council interviewed a group of grade 6 boys, Mr. Sommerville, Ms. Marah, Aliya Al Uariachi (aka, Belle from Beauty and the Beast) and Mr. Donny Robinson because they were viewed as balanced people within the KAUST community.

Understanding that a powerful way to influence positive change is through modeling, the student council organized a fun run for all students in G1-G5 to promote physical fitness.

In December the student council promoted the attribute caring. To build momentum, the GES Student Council organized a ‘Kindness Day’, which centered around sending kind notes to others throughout the school. The guests for this month’s GES Guest Speaker Series were teachers and their babies. This generated a lot of excitement as the students learned what parents do to care for their babies. All children in GES understand how important it is to show empathy, compassion, and respect and regularly take steps to make a difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Included are a few pictures representing several ways that students demonstrated the attributes balanced and caring through their participation in a range of experiences.

Chye de Ryckel Associate Principal 8

Sharing the Planet

G3 students took their observation skills to the golf course to reinforce the current Sharing the Planet unit. Students identiďŹ ed several different species of birds and learned about the special adaptations. Students also learned how the golf course is taking action to create a safe and welcoming environment for the birds of Saudi Arabia and birds that migrate here for the winter months.

Mr. Brian James joined classes and guided children to understand more and was able to answer a variety of curious questions. Students in G3 will continue to study the ecosystems found around KAUST, the living things in these ecosystems, and our responsibility as citizens of the world to support healthy ecosystems. So, if see some children with binoculars please know they are the curious, enthusiastic third graders at GES!

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Author Chris White visits GES Chris White, an author from the UK, visited TKS during the annual Book Week celebrations in early December. From the moment the students and teachers were seated Chris’ fusion of humor, illustration and the written word entertained students and staff. He had them participating, laughing, drawing and writing their own poems within a very short time, and leaving the workshops feeling that they had had the best experience.

Students in G4 felt “he had a big sense of humor” and Iria said “We learned how to create a poem in an easy fun style.”

By Vivien Sewell, GES Librarian

Native Language Reading Am I confusing my children by speaking and reading to them in my native language?

The answer: No, you are helping them!

As a parent you may have the following concerns: • You may be afraid that reading to your child in your native* language will confuse them and make it harder for them to read in English.

• You may not feel comfortable with your own English skills but feel that you should read to your child in English.

Why reading to your children in their native language will help them become better readers in English.

The research shows: Children who are read to in their native language will have an easier time learning to read in their second language (such as English). When parents read to their children in their native language, the children’s language skills in the English-speaking environment increase in frequency and complexity. So children who are learning English as a second language are more likely to become readers and writers of English when they are already familiar with the vocabulary and concepts in their native language.

Children who learn to read in their native language first will have an easier time learning to read in their second language than children who have never learned to read in their first language.

For children whose home language is other than English, studies have shown that a strong basis in their native language promotes school achievement in a second language as they have a strong cognitive foundation (the development of the brain’s ability to process information). * Native Language = Home Language

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Festival of Football

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On Saturday the 8th of December, thirteen boys and girls from G4 and G5 went to the British International School of Jeddah to compete in their annual Festival of Football tournament. The players were split into different teams representing famous global club sides, and, with team-mates from all over the Jeddah area’s international school network, competed in both plate and cup football competitions.

Al-ittihad, with Julienne Lauguico from TKS playing as a defensive sweeper, won the cup competition, while AC Milan, with Aalia Ebrahim from TKS playing in midfield, won the plate competition.

Virginia Castellani, who played as a striker for quarter-finalist Al-Ahli, said: “I think going to the Festival of Football was a great experience for everyone, because everyone was working hard and learning how to be with different people, and that will improve their communication skills and their confidence. Now I hope that we always have these competitions because every year kids make new friends and maybe find a new position that they can work on in the future years and we all hope that a lot more people come to the football practices.”

By Virginia Castellani (5MP) and Andrew Wright, Photos by Andrew Wright 11

The GES Fun Run 2018

About 2-3 weeks ago a group of GES students who are apart of The GES Student Council came up with a few fun school activities. One of the ideas was a ”Fun Run”. With the help of our GES PE teacher Mr. Evan Bryceland, the students spent weeks sorting out the plan in order to host the first ever Fun Run. The students had to organize jobs for everyone so everything could be organized.

Finally, after all of that hard work, the day was set. On Monday, December 17 all of the grade five student council members met at 7:00 am, on the soccer field. They spent 35-40 minutes setting up the cones, tables, and practicing the warm-up movements. Then at 8:00 am, all of the 1st and 2nd graders came to the field. We started with our warm-up by the movement group called “Free WiFi”.

After the warm-up, everyone went to their designated table before we could start the run. Each table had a specific color (there were two tables of the same color), and the student council members were assigned to color and number, for example, red 1 or yellow 2. After waiting around 5 minutes the Fun Run started and every time a lap was completed by a student, the student council members had to mark the students arm with the colored marker of their table.

The same thing happened for the grades 3-5. This Fun Run was a big success and we hope all the students had loads of fun.

We hope this can become a school tradition. Maybe it can.

Thanks to everyone that helped plan this and a big thanks to Mr. Evan, Miss. McQuaid and Mr. Parkin!

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from David Tigchelaar, GSS Principal Looking Back • TKS hosted two football tournaments - 30 November: U16 SAIKAC Boys football @ TKS and 7 December: U19 SAIKAC Girls football @ TKS. • The Book Fest concluded with a successful assembly on 6 December, showcasing creative responses to the books the students read.

• Spirit Days took place on 27, 28, 29 November and 4, 5 and 6 December.

• TKS staff hosted a luncheon for all support staff on 8 December.

• A very entertaining Variety Show took place on 10 December after school.

Looking Forward to January • GSS will join in the KAUST Winter Enrichment Programme from 16 - 22 January.

• We will send progress reports to parents on 24 January.

• There will be 3-way conferences for Gr 6 - 10 students and parents on 30 January. On that day there will be no school.

• Mock exams will take place from 3 - 11 February.

• The 3-way conferences for Gr 11 and 12 will take place on 18 February after school.

Students and teachers will now enjoy a well-deserved break, starting on 21 December. We look forward to seeing students and parents again in January 2019.

We bid farewell to Catherine Owen, TKS Communications Coordinator who leaves The KAUST School at the end of December to pursue post graduate studies in creative writing. Catherine has been putting the Wave together for nearly four years and we are grateful for everything that she has done for the publication and the school. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

We are not saying goodbye but we say see you later friend.

By Safanah Kadi, Communications Officer

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There are times when it may be helpful to find support outside of KAUST for yourself or for your child. Below are some options of support you can access from your home or in Jeddah.

Counselors Corner

ACT (Adult & Child Therapy Center) http://www.actjeddah.com/Services.aspx They provide a homey environment as they conduct their services in a house rather than a clinical environment.

ACT provides services in person, through phone, or online through skype or other medium. They provide a wide range of supports starting with children of the age of two. They also provide psychological assessments, psycho-educational assessments, individual therapy, child therapy, marriage and family counseling, parenting sessions, group counseling, trauma & grief counseling, art therapy, play therapy, and workshops and seminars. You can access their website and select your preferred therapist.

The Truman Group https://www.truman-group.com/ Provides services online (through secure video chat). This Group primarily targets those in expatriate communities.

They understand the unique needs of living in an expat community. The Group provides psychological counseling to individuals and couples for a broad range of issues, including anxiety and depression, trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, relationship issues, life transitions, and anger and stress management. In addition, they specialize in working with adolescents and children as young as ten. In many cases, they provide parenting consultation as part of an integrated approach to care, and clinicians frequently coordinate with schools and other health care professionals involved in supporting children and teens. Therapists are highly experienced, US trained.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) www.worldwideassist.co.uk Access code: KAUST Provide wide ranging services by telephone.

Some areas they provide support are: emotional support, long-distance caregiving, life transitions, managing stress, and marriage and relationships. They will also help connect you to a therapist in your chosen vicinity if you would prefer to see a therapist in person. The first six sessions are provided free of charge. If you would like your child to receive sessions, you can provide parental consent and your child will have access to a therapist by phone. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also request that a counselor call you back, if you feel that option is more helpful for your needs.

Sometimes it takes time to find a counselor you feel connected to. As research after research shows, success in counseling primarily relies on the counselor/client relationship, regardless of theory of practice. This is why it is important to find a counselor you like. If you do not feel you connect with your counselor, it is in your interest and the counselor’s professional interest, you end the relationship and find another counselor. The most important thing is for you to find someone that meets your needs. Please feel free to contact me if you would like help finding resources for yourself or your child. Mahri Swan Wooten, Middle School Counselor TKS, mahri.wooten@kaust.edu.sa As always, we are here to support your wellbeing. Please reach out to any of the counselors for support.

Have a wonderful holiday! - The Counseling Team 14

Grade 12 Physics Project

Photos by: Eshan Wells, G12 student

Grade 10 Science students used their knowledge of Electricity and Renewable Energy from the classroom and then applied that knowledge through creating models of solar and electric vehicles, as well as hand dynamos that could be used in our school setting.

Students involved in the electric vehicle: Mohammed Khojabakkah, Natasha Dewi, Ruba Gari Students involved in building the solar vehicle: Abdullah Alghamdi, Badr Khawaji, Faroze ShaďŹ q, Jibran Khan Students involved in building the dynamo: Talib Mohiuddin, Sumaiya Banu, Sarah Alharthi, Marwan Mohammed.

By: Myriam Abdulbaki, DP Physics and MYP Science Teacher.

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Cam in Motion

The G8 students have been creating toys to help G2 students learn about simple machines. They have created toys that work with cranks, cams and gears to demonstrate that a rotational motion can be changed into an up and down or side to side motion (Link). G2 and G5 students came to the Design Hub to help evaluate the success of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plBUPMDnKgQ these toys.

By Aaron Thompson

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TKS Sharks Under 16 Girls Football

On Saturday, November 24th, 21 players in the KAUST School U16 Girls Football squad went to King Abdullah Economic City to play in the Red Sea tournament against teams from AISJ, BISJ, JPGS and TWA schools. TKS2 (the A team) finished 2nd, losing only to champions BISJ and winning their last four games in a row, including two 4-0 victories. Captain Mare Hotiet kept 3 shutouts in goal, and the goal-scorers were Emilia Salvador with 4, Daphne Pisig with 3, Omamah Jamil with 2, and Layana Ghryani, Timona Sladakovic and Pearl Wright with 1 each. TKS1 (the B team), led by captain Christina Jones finished 5th with 2 hard-fought draws against TWA and AISJ. One week later, 12 players representing the TKS A team traveled to Riyadh to play in the Western Region’s U16 SAIKAC competition. Despite being all U14 players bar two, the Sharks finished 3rd in a tough competition, winning the SAIKAC bronze medal. Pearl Wright top-scored with 3 goals, ably assisted by Emilia Salvador and Maya Porojan with 2 and 1 respectively, while captain Mare Hoteit kept a shutout in the 2-0 third-place play-off against AISR-B. Big thanks are due to Feras Al-Batran and his Riyadh-based family for support and advice. Coaches Andrew Wright, Nick Ryan, and Catherine de Levay were impressed with the all-around commitment and effort by every player this year.

By Andrew Wright, Photos by Catherine de Levay

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TKS Sharks Under 19 Football Seven dedicated players finished their girl's football career at The KAUST School with the culmination of the 2018 SAIKAC tournament. Duha Hussain, Lubna Ghanem, Lana Fairaq, Faiza AlBader, Lama Fairaq, Rumaysa Mohammed and Dana AlMohammadi have been setting the standard for girls in sports in Saudi Arabia since they began kicking around a football as a kid. We wish them continued success as they move forward into University, playing football with their heart and like a champion.

By Laney S. Rweyemamu

Players from left to right: Duha Hussain, Lubna Ghanem, Lana Fairaq, Faiza AlBader, Lama Fairaq, Rumaysa Mohammed, Dana AlMohammadi

“Don’t aspire to be the best on the team. Aspire to be the best for the team.”

2018 SAIKAC Girls Football Bronze Medalists.

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TKS Sharks Under 16 Boys Football Season

The U16 Boys Football team demonstrated tremendous effort during the RSAC and SAIKAC tournaments. The boys came home undefeated from a well fought RSAC tournament that took place at the Waad Academy School in Jeddah.

One week later, the team was faced with their next challenge; the SAIKAC tournament at TKS. The tournament commenced on a Thursday, where we drew against JPGS, beat AISJ, thanks to a superb shot from the halfway line by Abed, beat TWA and then lost to BISJ. The second day began with a match against AISJ. After full time, the score was 0-0, which meant that a penalty shootout was going to be the decider. We ended up beating AISJ 5-3 in penalties, thanks to Khojah, who had some outstanding saves and scored the final penalty. We then faced a strong BISJ side, where we scored the first goal, an excellent strike by Faroze, however, the final score ended 3-1 to BISJ. Our final match of the day was against AISJ. The final score ended 2-0 to AISJ, which put us a 3rd place at the SAIKAC tournament.

This squad has shown resilience, perseverance, and sportsmanship throughout this whole season. All of the boys must be proud of their accomplishments. A huge thank you to Coach Treacy and Coach Hoffman for their constant motivation and guidance during this U16 season.

By Benjamin Powell, Photos By Younis

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Students Get Moving in PHE G6 Snorkeling

We have had some snorkelling fun with the G6 girls this semester while trying to gain an understanding of how we affect our environment due to tourism, plastic use, and coral bleaching. They have been gaining skills and confidence while snorkelling and experiencing the Red Sea. Girls have made pledges in reducing their plastic use and trying to diminish their carbon footprint while appreciating the marine environment. Requests were made to Coastline to minimise their use of plastic bottles, wrap, plates, knives and forks for the trip and they were happy to support. Well done girls for taking ACTION!

G7 Movement

This unit the G7 girls have been exploring our relationships and roles in a team environment. Where they are exercising collaboration by working together, through listening and discussing ideas to create a movement piece. They are establishing communication systems, practicing decision making and learning to plan and implement plans.

G8 Fitness

The G8 PHE boys explored the statement of inquiry, ‘different activities impact motivation’ in fitness. The students created a training plan based on the method circuit training and implemented this plan over 3 weeks. Through the unit, students are learning skills they will be able to apply later in life to maintain lifelong fitness.

Great work fellas.

G9 World Sports

The G9 students are introduced to Tchoukball & Handball during their World Sports unit. They focused on learning skills, techniques, rules, offensive/defensive strategies for each sport and participated in small sided games. Alongside this, students developed communication skills to assist improvement in their gameplay.

G10 Movement

The G10 PHE students have been investigating the statement of inquiry ‘Different cultures express themselves through movement to illustrate their identity’. Students have looked into their own and other's culture, identity and influences to then illustrate these through a movement routine.

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