Al Salam Private School and Nursery
With over 30 years of expertise, Al Salam School is a pearl in the heart of historic Dubai and a great example of a school that reflects both the legacy and ambition of the UAE.
As an international leader in wellbeing promotion, the United Arab Emirates holds its National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 as a key driver of public policy and a significant enabler of the Centennial 2071 Vision. The strategy aims to build a flourishing nation; connected communities and thriving citizens, prioritizing education as the key instrument for accelerating highquality implementation and impact..
For many years, KHDA has worked with Dubai’s private schools to promote and enable initiatives to raise awareness and support the wellbeing of students and staff.
This Magazine, builds on the legacy of the Dubai Student Wellbeing Census, providing a refreshed approach to wellbeing promotion and acting as a catalyst for wellbeing advancement across Dubai’s private school sector. As wellbeing becomes an essential part of school culture and pedagogy, this framework provides school leaders, students and educators with a common point of reference.
© 2022 Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
And your Lord inspired to the bee, ‘Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [hives], and among the trees and that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]. There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.”
(Holy Qur’an 16:68-69)
HeWhoHas HealthHasHope AndHEWHO HasHopeHas Everything!
Welcome to the 1st issue of the ASPS Wellbeing magazine, “The
A very warm welcome to the first edition of ASPS Wellbeing Magazine. The aim of all the stories, experiences and knowledge shared in this magazine is to help advance discussions about wellbeing practices at ASPS. As schools catch glimpses of signs that we are collectively moving forward, its great to see that wellbeing, relationships and care are being prioritised.
This is a bumper issue full of brilliant and insight full articles, written by teachers, students and parents, it has interviews, art works , healthy recipes, wellbeing talks and so much more, as a collection it seeks to broaden the ways we think about wellbeing, exploring how it is embedded in our interactions, our relationships, how we learn to deal with conflict, how we help build important social emotional skills and how we learn to be in the world.
I hope you enjoy this issue, take what is helpful to you and continue to comeback and dip into ideas as you please. I can’t thank every single contributor enough, this magazine would not exist without you.
Thank you.
Summaiya Faraz GAB - Wellbeing.Wellbeing seems to be a catch cry for all sorts of health and social programs – but what does it actually mean and why should you care about it?
Aristotle considered the idea of Eudaimonia1 – humans flourishing and living well, as imperative to the human condition. More contemporary definitions of wellbeing can be found in the Oxford Dictionary2, where wellbeing is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Wellbeing is fundamental to our health and overall happiness. Having a strong and well-adapted sense of wellbeing can help us overcome difficulties and help us achieve our goals in life. Research has shown that a greater sense of wellbeing relates to increased physical benefits, such as lower incidences of cardiovascular disease, stroke and sleeping problems, and with increased productivity and creativeness in both employment and personal lives
wellbeing is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Wellbeing is holistic – we must look after all the aspects of our lives if we wish to increase our wellbeing.
Enhancing your wellbeing isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
Martin Seligman’s PERMA theoretic model of happiness, helps us to understand the elements that contribute to our happiness, and in turn, our wellbeing. By breaking down the broad concept into smaller, more manageable aspects, we can identify how we are tracking with our wellbeing and where there might be room for improvement.
Eating a healthy balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, and creating healthy habits to look after your physical health are some of the easiest ways to help develop your sense of wellbeing
Positivity is more than just smiling. We need to have a positive and optimistic outlook on life, which can help us deal with any difficulties we might have.
Ask yourself:
•What was one good thing to come out of today?
•What was one thing that gave me pleasure (satisfying a bodily need) and enjoyment (intellectual or creative stimulation) today?
•What am I optimistic for tomorrow?
Partaking in an activity that fully captures our engagement helps us to be “in the moment” and enables time to “fly by”. These types of activities flood our brains with happy hormones and neurotransmitters and help to enhance our intelligence, skill and emotional capabilities
Ask yourself:
•What is one thing I did today that truly absorbed my attention and gave me true joy?
•What is one thing I did today that was just for me and my engagement in life?
•What is one thing I will do tomorrow that will completely immerse my attention and let time “fly by”?
Positive relationships with other people can bring us great joy, a sense of safety and value, and can provide support when times get difficult.
Ask yourself:
•Did I take part in a positive interaction with one of my relationships today?
•Who is someone I can reach out to tomorrow who I haven’t spoken to in a while?
Having meaning and purpose in life is key to driving us towards fulfilment.
Ask yourself:
•Did I do something that gave me a sense of fulfilment today?
•What is something I can do tomorrow that I am passionate about?
Having realistic goals that can be achieved helps to give us a sense of accomplishment and something to look forward to.
Ask yourself:
•Did I work towards any of my long-term goals today?
•How can I work towards my long-term goals tomorrow? Your
wellbeing is about YOU!
Here are some things you can do to jump start your health journey.
Set a goal for yourself. Being healthy isn't always about losing weight. ... Plan your meals. ... Reduce the salt in your diet. ... Exercise regularly. ... Get more sleep.
High sodium consumption (>2 grams/day, equivalent to 5 g salt/day) and insufficient potassium intake (less than 3.5 grams/day) contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
An estimated 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year if global salt consumption were reduced to the recommended level.
Getting enough sleep has many benefits. It can help you:
Get sick less often
Stay at a healthy weight
Lower your risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease
Reduce stress and improve your mood
The human brain is more alert in the morning, providing you with a mental boost of increased focus and concentration.
Believe it or not, getting up earlier can provide you with more energy throughout the day. Being more energetic can also increase your mood and make you feel more cheerful.
Starting your day with a sweat can help you burn more fat, lower your blood pressure and help you sleep better at night.
Having a regular sleep routine can help you go to sleep and wake up easier. Waking up early can provide you with a deeper and higher-quality of sleep limiting any tossing and turning.
There are many benefits to being a morning person. Several studies have suggested becoming an early riser can make you healthier and happier.
So next time you’re thinking about hitting that snooze button, try pushing yourself to get out of the cozy bed and embrace a new morning routine.
The physical and psychological benefits of smiling and laughter are plentiful. Research shows that those who consciously or subconsciously smile more live better and longer. Research also shows there are many benefits to smiling at others. As goes the old saying 'laughter is contagious' and studies show this is indeed true.
Happiness and kindness are big contributors to smiling. Happiness is something that we all seek but it can often be hard to find. Happiness can come in many different ways and from different things but generally it is the feeling of joy, contentment and general satisfaction and fulfilment in life. So it is not so much something that we can find, rather than something we can build.
'It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.“
~ Steve Maraboli
Not eating enough protein can effect your child's development, but how can you tell if they're getting enough?
Believe it or not, one in seven school-aged kids don't get enough protein daily.1 That number is not too shocking when you learn that 30 percent of their total daily calories come from lownutrient snacks, desserts and candy.
If your child is not getting enough protein, it can lead to more serious side effects down the road.
As a matter of fact, this essential macronutrient is so important for kids that it affects every single part of the body.
Protein is an important nutrient that provides essential amino acids that helps children grow and develop properly. Protein is a part of every cell in the body and helps to build and repair muscle, tissue, skin, nails and hair. Protein also helps to build hormones, enzymes and a healthy immune system.1
The amount of protein a child needs depends on their weight; however, the chart can be used to find generally recommended amounts.
• Offer milk to drink at most meals and snacks.
• Include lean cuts or fat trimmed meat and lean or extra lean ground meats.
• Serve fish at least two times per week.
• Offer whole-grain cereal or oatmeal with nut or seed butters. If age appropriate, add slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds - other nuts/seeds.
• Make a hearty lentil vegetable soup for lunch.
• Offer hummus and raw vegetables for snack.
• Cook bean chili that’s loaded with vegetables.
• tofu to wstir-fry with variety of vegetables.
• Offer yogurt, cottage cheese or nut butter on whole-grain toast for a snack.
Our heroes at Operations work tirelessly to ensure that Al Salam is a clean, hygienic and safe learning environment for all students.
They are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities, which includes a variety of duties, such as cleaning classrooms and common areas, maintaining the heating and cooling systems, repairing equipment and infrastructure, ensuring proper waste disposal, and conducting regular inspections to identify potential hazards or maintenance issues
our support staff also helps out with assisting teachers in the classrooms, ensuring the safety of students on the bus, and getting the school ready for events, all the while maintaining strong positive relationships with the students built on trust and respect.
Kids’ screen time: How much is too much?
“Studies are showing links between excessive screen time and various physical and mental health issues in children, such as obesity, depression, behavioral issues and anxiety,” Dr. Yousuf said.
The numbers might shock you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the average daily
•8-10 years old: Six hours
•11-14 years old: Nine hours
•15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours
And these figures don’t even include the time kids spend on screens for their school work.
It’s important for parents to be aware of the impact that too much screen time can have on their children’s health, as well as their ability to develop healthy relationships with friends and family.
Proactive steps for parents to take :
•Screen-free bedrooms: There should be no screens in the bedroom, and children generally shouldn’t view a screen for two hours before bedtime. The reason is a screen’s blue light can prevent the brain from knowing when it’s time to get ready for sleep. Instead of watching TV before bed, kids should engage in other activities, such as reading.
•Fill the void: If you need to cut back on your child’s screen time, don’t leave them to figure out what to do with that free time. Replace it with something positive, such as outdoor sports or other activities.
Younger children don’t relate to what they see on a screen the same as real life.
Subliminal messages that we send during inperson conversations don’t come across the same on a screen, When you’re playing with a young child, you’re teaching them how to interact with their environment. Studies show that the more interactive you can be with them, the better off they’ll be because they’re using more of their senses, such as listening, touching and smelling.”
But whether a child is younger or older, human interaction provides benefits that can’t be replaced by screens.
Recommended time limits
•Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends
•2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling
•5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework
World Maths day was celebrated on 16th March. This day was celebrated by the students of Years 1-8 and all staff to appreciate the importance of mathematics in real life. All staff and some parents were invited to celebrate the joy to be found in Mathematics. The activities were games, quizzes, projects, research work, Bingo and many more fun filled activities.
al-Khwārizmī, in full Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al Khwārizmī, (born c. 780 died c. 850), Muslim mathematician and astronomer whose major works introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and the concepts of algebra into European mathematics.
In a room of 23 people there’s a 50% chance that two people have the same birthday.
• 2 boneless chicken breasts, skinless and thinly sliced
• 6 cups chopped lettuce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 cup canned black beans
• 3/4 cup canned corn kernels, drained
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1 tomato, diced
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup tortilla strips
• 1/4 cup Ranch dressing
1. In a medium-sized skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high flame.
2. Season chicken breast with pepper and salt to taste. Put in the skillet and cook, turning once, cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until cooked thoroughly. Allow it to cool before cutting into bite-size pieces.
3. In a large bowl place lettuce; top with chicken, onion, beans, corn, tomato, and cheeses. Pour BBQ sauce and BBQ ranch dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to mix.
4. Top with tortilla strips and serve.
Each meal should contain at least 1 fruit or vegetable . Children's recommended fruit intake ranges from 1 cup/day, between ages 1 and 3, to 2 cups for a 14–18-yearold boy .
Depending on their age and gender federal guidelines recommend that adults eat at least 1½ to 2 cups per day of fruit and 2 to 3 cups per day of vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern.
Tell us about your childhood?
I was born in London but my family moved to the south of England when I was just two years old. We were a very loving close knit family, I have one sister. Sadly both of my parents passed away. My father passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 98 after having lived here with us in Dubai for more than fifteen years. I was brought up in a small community, where everybody knew each other. I had a very normal, simple childhood, I always felt very loved and cherished. It was a time which was very innocent for children compared to today.
Were you naughty or shy? What were your hobbies?
I was a very shy child. My hobbies were reading and I loved cycling.
What did you like to read more? Fiction or nonfiction?
I liked both fiction and nonfiction, I remember one of my favourite books was “The lion and the witch and the wardrobe” I loved the Enid Blyton adventure stories too, again the innocence of books that were available to read as young children at that time were very different from what you see in bookshops now. As a child I read more for pleasure, now I read for both knowledge and pleasure.
Any childhood memory, you would like to share with us?
I had a very simple childhood, family holidays and family meals were always very special and important family occasions, I’ve continued this mealtime habit with the family - at six o’clock if you are at home whether you’re hungry or not you sit at the dining table whether you eat or not, you sit with the rest of the family and definitely no devices allowed, family dinners would often go on for an hour or more just talking and catching up.
“Our vision is to provide a holistic and inclusive learning environment, where academic and personal excellence is inspired in all, empowering them to become globally responsible life-long learners.””
Sue Johnston
”
Who was an aspiration to you when you were growing up?
My parents and my teachers My mother became blind when I was five years old and despite that I had a very normal childhood where my mother still kept house, cooked ,cleaned and sewed, despite what happened to her and she just got on with it and it's something that I very much admired and it also made me have more compassion towards inclusion
What do you think are the future challenges of education?
I’m very concerned about the future of education The world is taking us to a place that everybody’s worried about The challenges of artificial intelligence and IT and what our students are exposed to (even if they are not looking). We’re bombarded with values that are not the values of our parents or our religion or our school, it's like a tidal wave. I think that education is going to get even more high-tech very quickly. In the future, what I would love to see is that all students have equal opportunities for an outstanding education, that classes are going to have teachers but the person introducing and explaining the lesson is going to be a virtual person delivering an outstanding lesson and the teachers in class will be there to support the children if needed
What qualities do you try to develop in the children of your school?
Beside Academics, to be a good, honest, compassionate human being. I always tell the students ``be proud of what you believe in, where you come from and who you are`` because there is still a lot of prejudice around the world but values - (whatever religion ) are similar. Leadership skills, self confidence, public speaking, charity, community service etc are very important too.
What advice you would like to give to your students and to their parents?
Money will come and go in life. Give your children their deen and a good education, if they have those two things they will carry them through life and to the akhirah.
Sue Johnston Founder, Al Salam SchoolMy biggest pleasure is following the students’ personal progress, development and growth from being a small toddler to fine young adults ready to face the challenges of the outside world “”We will continue to support programs catering for the wider needs of all students and ensure that students of Determination are actively supported to participate in the joy of learning alongside their age appropriate peers.”
I came to Dubai in 1981, met and married my late husband here (God bless him) I was a teacher, we were saving up for him to start his own business ( he was an auditor ). When it came time for our eldest son to go to school, there were very, very few options here. Most schools that are here now didn't exist then. I worked at a school which was for Emirati children, not really suitable for our children There was the British school, which at that time only took people with British passports, and there was Saint Mary's, which is a Catholic school, maybe a couple of other schools for other nationalities so there was very little choice. My late husband and I discussed the possibility of children and I going back home to England because of their education. We spoke to many friends who were all struggling with similar schooling concerns, often families were divided -with mother being back in their home country with the children due to schooling and father being here alone. This is not healthy for society We then started to discuss the possibility of starting our own school for our own children. A British School, we wanted it to be welcoming to all nationalities and all religions, to be a school that held fast to Islamic values, had reasonable school fees, with a strong vision and mission where it's the right of every child to have a good education, not just rich children. Alhamdulillah we started the school with my eldest son in the first year group going up, at that time like most other schools we were in villas and were just a primary school, many years later we had the opportunity to rent this land here in Al Ghusais, the school here was built in 2002, as the years passed our parents requested that we expand into secondary education as well. With approval from the KHDA a second floor was built and we grew into a secondary school too. Unfortunately, my three older children completed only primary school at Al Salam and had to go to other schools for their secondary education but my two younger children graduated from AL Salam and I am happy and proud that my grandchildren attend Al Salam.
What was your vision for the school in 1985?
A school where every child is special. Giving the best education that we possibly could. A family environment because most people are here without an extended family unit, so there's no aunt or uncle or grandma cousin and most parents are working and sadly without the support of the extended family so I really wanted the school to be like a family unit, not only for the students but for the staff as well.
Wow, it's very hard to imagine. I was actually in Al Salam Community School recently I passed a year 8 classroom - as the teacher was absent, I said to myself `okay, I'll take the class,` the subject was I T - well, I'm such a dinosaur in IT, I asked the class where do you see IT and AI in 10 years time, how will it affect your life, how has it changed your life in the recent years? ( One of the children actually said that his mom had become a hypochondriac because of Google doctor). The students led the learning with fantastic observations, ideas and theories, it was so interesting - student led learning. I think IT and AI are changing the world so quickly and we're struggling to keep up, it's going to change education more and more and it frightens me because we need to keep our values which is challenging when you're bombarded with values that you don't share So in 5 to 10 years, who knows? It's going to be a journey for everyone.
In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good teacher?
Caring, if they care, they will always go that extra mile., and Love of her job.
How do see this initiative to have a school’s wellbeing magazine?
I'm very excited. Well-being is a huge concern of everybody all over the world. Prior to COVID it wasn’t such a big thing. I think the pressure of life, pressure of family, responsibilities, parenthood, work etc., technology has put us in a place where we’re actually at work twenty four hours a day and often work life is interfering in family life, so wellbeing is a huge priority for children, teachers and for parents as well and I think being a parent now is not as easy as it was when I was brought up because there were no IT then and limited TV. Parents need a lot of support and advice about parenting because they often can’t relate to what their children are going through, what they are facing at school, the type of learning they are having and the type of problems they are facing. Wellbeing is very, very important and we will support it in any way that we can, whatever needs to be done.
I want to combine this with Islam… smile. Smile, is a charity and when you smile at somebody they will smile back. When they smile back it makes you feel happy. So you get double triple blessings and benefits. So, smile.
We promote children’s ability to listen to and respect the opinions and beliefs of others and to be able to express oneself coherently and logically. We teach children to think in every area and to apply their knowledge and ideas. We truly believe that our pupils should be partners in driving learning and experiences and that they should understand how each person contributes to the ethos and standards that we aspire to achieve.
It is when you can know how to handle a situation either difficult or stressful and to overcome your fears and stress with confidence. With using emotional intelligence you can create a spectacular vision of reality
The benefits of having high emotional intelligence is being more mature working with others and resolving issues.
Hind Talal
Tolerance is individual willingness to understand and respect different views and opinions but acceptance is an individual's go along with the reality of a situation, and recognizing the process or the outcome of the situation without disagreeing with it or changing it.
Diversity refers to the differences that exist among individuals. Tolerance is the ability to recognize and respect these differences without judgement or discrimination. Acceptance goes a step further and involves embracing diversity and recognizing the value of different perspectives
Did you know that the ability to cope with stress helps us do better in exams? A little bit of stress is good, as it pushes us to give our best in exams. Here are the best ways to cope with exam stress:
•Time Management: Manage your time and organize yourself accordingly. Study the things you feel are important first.
•Don't Panic: When you feel that you're panicking, just take a deep breath and go back to studying.
•Take Breaks: Studying for 3-5 hours straight without any breaks can slow down your learning and make it difficult for you to remember anything.
Mohammad Raed
Talia Abdullah-5A
The FIRST LEGO League Challenge is an international competition organized by FIRST for elementary and middle school students. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together.
My experience for The First Lego League was very enjoyable. We all had a chance to make a real robot, programme it and then test it. I learned about confidence by explaining to the judges and teamwork.
The FLL challenge has been a wonderful and enriched experience for our students and our school. This opportunity not only taught us teamwork, but also problem solving and perseverance.
When we first entered the FLL challenge, It was only a month away and we had no clue of what to expect. Our whole team equally divided the work to create the missions to continue with the robot, and all our team members gave their own opinion and we managed to create our own robot.
First Lego league competition was an extraordinary opportunity to learn and explore the vast world of robotics. Thank You So much for the opportunity and I can not wait to do it again.
Abdullah Umar - Year 7
Hamdan - Year 8
Hussein - Y8
Art Dubai is known as the world's most globally diverse art fair. Our students had so much to learn from the most interesting people and their incredible artwork. Ms. Sahar’s students were immersed in making first hand observations and had an opportunity to learn from the contemporary, modern and digital galleries.
My experience at Art Dubai was wonderful! We were able to view all sorts of Art like digital, modern and contemporary galleries. The tour guides walked us through all the art pieces, and we were even able to interact with the artists who created their work. I felt great being part of it, as I was deeply inspired by the creations and heard insight into what encouraged the result from the artists, especially in the digital showroom.
Muzainah Shahrukh - Year 8
Art
It is the process of creating –exploring, discovering, and experimenting – that has the greatest value for young children. The process is what’s most important, not the thing they actually create. Learning takes place even when children do not make a finished product to take home at the end of the day. Sometimes when children are asked to focus on an end result, or to finish something, it can limit the type of learning that can take place. Through self-expression and creativity, children’s skills will develop naturally.
They created, they wrote, they dressed up! Students and the teachers had fun dressing up as the characters they had created in their own stories.
To start off, Diplomathon Global is a global conference, kind of like an MUN - Model United Nations. The Diplomathon and MUNs have the same general idea linking to the Model United Nations. Only a few things differ, but they both are filled with similarities. Enrolling yourself in the annual Diplomathon global conference can really be a great way to enhance one’s speaking skills and grow confidence.
After attending the Diplomathon for two days, I’ve personally noticed some changes in myself. I’ve gotten a confidence boost, and picked out ways on how to debate and improve persuasion skills and techniques.
New information is gathered as we learn from new people, the only important thing is about how we actually imply it to our daily routine.
Experience is the most important thing for an individual’s learning and personality development. Students of all ages can learn about world-wide problems just by participating in the Diplomathon or having some type of engagement in conferences that need social interaction.
By Aliza - Y8
Creativity, Innovation and communication.
Dimplomathon has that. I savor dimplomathon. It is an occurrence where people, there known as delegates, advocate a resolution to a problem. I was chosen for Marvel accompanying the problem being 'Will the avengers continue?'. It is where the pupils have dominance to share ideas. It is a excellent experience to attempt. I doubtlessly recommended it.
Dimplomathon has excellent benefits. Talking to random pupils from various schools boost public speaking that is a tremendous scare to many of us. Your speech is your artistry. Think out of the television set. The better talk the more imaginative .Questions requested by different pupils develop explanation and bargaining abilities. Innovate Ideas Quick. Pupils can request subtopics, named unmoderated caucus. The participating student will have ten minutes to research and draft speeches.
In conclusion, dimplomathon is an event in which pupils are requested to answer a question on their Agenda. It provides many benefits to pupils and to all. It improved my self confidence and bargaining skills.
This isn’t my first time at Diplomathon, so I knew what to expect from the event. I already knew that I would increase my speaking skills and research abilities with the event as I had done so prior.
Since I had already been at Diplomathon once, I already knew the basic format on how to write and research the different speeches I needed to prepare. With the event, I was able to optimise research to find the most useful information for my speeches. Similarly, I was able to improve upon my speaking skills with reciting and practising my speeches.
The debate also helped me with improvising speeches, as it was a major element in the debate, with answering questions and arguments upon my speeches.
I’m able to say that Diplomathon has helped in improving different skills, and it gives me the experience and knowledge to do better things in the future.
It was an exciting day for the Year 2 students as they received a visit from Ms Hilda Yousse, the author of the much loved children story book “ Snowy and Zoey in a New World”. How amazing to have a handshake with a real author! This was one of the exciting events in March, the Month of Reading.
Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie became, and remains, the bestselling novelist of all time. She is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, as well as the world’s longest-running play – The Mousetrap. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation
At ASPS, we teach, support and coach a range of sports in Physical Education to students of different ages and abilities to motivate and encourage all students to participate and be active. The importance of physical health and wellbeing is also taught as part of the PE curriculum. We focus on different aspects of Physical Education based on the different abilities of the students - from flexibility exercises and track events to both within and inter-school tournaments. We also encourage and facilitate students to participate in external competitions and we have our share of swimming, gymnastics and karate gold medalists among our students.
Parents and staff play a vital role in imparting the importance of physical education and physical health to our students. Staff and parents are both enthusiastically involved in sports events whether it is completing the Dubai 30X30 challenges or an in-house students vs staff football tournament.
M
odel United Nations, also known as model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation in which students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. At a MUN conference, students work as the representative of a country, organization, or person, and must solve a problem with other delegates from around the world. MUN teaches participants skills like research, public speaking, debating, and writing, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
5 Steps to prepare for your first MUN conference
1. Do Your Research
2. Get Additional Information About Your Country
3. Learn About Your Committee
4. Create a Research Binder
5. Get Onsite Training
Benefits you will gain by joining MUN Conference.
▪ Meet new people and new places. ...
▪ Public Speaking. ...
▪ Become acquainted with global issues. ..
▪ Diplomacy and negotiation skill. ...
▪ Enhance your leadership skill. ...
▪ Help participant get into a college or find a job
MUN or Model United Nations is a platform where you act as the ambassador of a country and debate about a certain topic and create solutions for it. Although most of the people in MUN were high schoolers and University students, I enjoyed it very much and loved the excitement of exchanging ideas and debating solutions and it's that thrill that I love even now. It's something that I will keep doing and something that I deeply enjoy.
Thinking back It not only allowed me to develop my public speaking and diplomacy skills but also gave me the chance to meet incredible people from many different schools who share the same passion for MUN. Furthermore, participating in group activities not only helps in making new friends but also develops essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, broadening your knowledge, and leadership. These skills are crucial for personal and professional growth and can help one excel in various aspects of life.
Doing MUNs makes me think about the problems in the real world and ways to solve them. They made me want to be someone who can help people and this world. This is why MUNs are beneficial and why I believe that other people my age should at least consider trying MUNs.
About a month ago me and my friends went to a MUN conference. I feel like that conference improved my social skills a lot, and we went representing our school. Sadly our school came 13th place and the top 12 schools would be going for a conference in Japan and Malaysia. But we can always try again next year!
Thinking about my experience at the WISMUN brings back so many fun memories. I learnt that during MUN conferences, participants engage in debate and work collaboratively with others to find solutions to complex global problems. Down to the little things made me happy from the bus rides to and back and the committee sessions. I met a lot of new people who helped build my confidence throughout the 3 days.
Fathima Zainah Riyaz
Lara Moustafa
Areesha Soban
Saad Zainudeen
Samin Abdollah Sahranavard
The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) is the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first mission to Mars. EMM is designed to orbit Mars and study the dynamics in the Martian atmosphere on a global scale, and on both diurnal and seasonal timescales.
EMM began its journey to Mars from the Tanegashima island in Japan on July 20, 2020 at 1:58 AM (UAE time).
• Understand climate dynamics and the global weather map through characterizing the lower atmosphere of Mars.
• Explain how the weather changes the escape of Hydrogen and Oxygen through correlating the lower atmosphere conditions with the upper atmosphere.
• Understand the structure and variability of Hydrogen and Oxygen in the upper atmosphere, as well as identifying why Mars is losing them into space.
•Mars is also known as the Red Planet. ...
•Mars is named after the Roman god of war.
•Mars has 2 moons called Deimos and Phobos. ...
•Mars is the 4th planet from the sun. ...
•Mars is smaller than Earth with a diameter of 4217 miles.
Sultan Alneyadi set to make history by becoming first Arab astronaut to perform spacewalk
Aspiring astronauts need to have a master's degree, usually in a STEM field. You must also complete two years of training and pass the notoriously hard NASA physical. Those interested in space can find jobs as scientists, engineers, or astronomers.
Rumi, is a young scientist, a brilliant and brave son of Mr. Salam, who is an astronaut , working in MBRSC, UAE. Mr. Salam and his team went on a space mission and set up a space station. Before leaving to the mission, Mr. Salam, told his son about his latest invention through which one can fly in the space without the help of any space ship and it’s as fast as speed of light and he asked Rumi, to work on the project in his absence. One day on a routine space walk , disaster strikes. The station is destroyed, leaving the commander and his team alone completely, they have lost all the links to Earth and seem no chance for rescue, and they are left with little oxygen. As fear turns to panic, all of a sudden the Mr. Salam, thought of his latest wrist band and he pressed the button, the Q-waves spread all over and Rumi got the signal for emergency. He, informed the other space station and took his latest “Qocket,” which has unbeatable features and flies as fast as light and saved his father and his team. Now his next mission is to save the planet and fight for the right.
Favorite food Molukhia
Favorite Country Turkey
Five things you can’t live without ( Quran, laughter, my family, water, books, peace)
Best childhood memories
Water fights with cousins, sleeping at grandma's house
Favorite Cartoon
Woody woodpecker
Inspector Gadget
Tom Sawyer
Ms. Reem is a passionate educator with 11 year of experience as an educational leader. She holds a Bachelor degree in English Language and Literature from Damascus University. She also holds a Montessori certificate from MCI, London, and a Diploma in Pre school Practice from NEC, UK.
Reem Farouk
Bouzou
I graduated with a BA (hons) Degree in Education studies at the university of Luton in the UK. I then did PGCE at DE Montfort University at Bedford and gained qualified Teacher status in 2001.
Favorite food Pizza and anything with cheese on it
Things I can’t live without Books- I am an avid book worm and love reading
Five recommendations: Bosnian House for the kebabs, Warak Aynab- Vine leaves Friends- the series Madina- the prophets masjid
Favorite Cartoon
Daffy Duck, Donald Duck, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker
Favorite Countries
Singapore, Japan
Tanzania, Mauritius Seychelles
Tasleem Koser Tasleem Koser Ms.Wendy Banks Principal
Favorite Country UAE
Favorite color Green
Best childhood memories
Holidays in Greece
Camping
Making dens
Horse Riding Bike rides with my sister
I was born in Bolton, England, and graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2009 as a qualified Primary Teacher. I taught in a very multicultural community school in the city before moving to the UAE in 2012. During my time in the UAE I have been a Primary Headteacher and Vice Principal of an FS – Year 13 school. I have had the privilege of working in some of the most progressive schools in the UAE and have trained to be a Visible Learning Coach. This has enabled me to make decisions based on what will have the biggest impact for our students
My Favorite Food
Curry, French fries and naan (I know, I know... this is an abomination of the cuisine but it tastes so good)
Five places I wish to travel to
Mekkah and Medinah for Hajj. Maldives. Nordic Countries of Europe via Eurail. Sail the Mediterranean. The Levant, by land.
Five things I can’t live without
My faith
My family Coffee
The seaside Potatoes
Al Salam Family- When they say they mean it and when they mean it they make you their family. Al Salam made me a part of their family and each day they melt my heart with small but impactful gestures. As a newbie to this school with a new role I was a bit nervous as to how I would adapt to a new environment.
The wellbeing of an employee begins from such a beautiful vision these leaders and governors and wellbeing department has set.
The first day when I received a handwritten welcome card from Ms. Wendy, it made me feel so welcomed.
Al Salam takes care of the mental as well as physical health of the staff with their loving hearts.
Right from the free karaks on special days to scrumptious meals to trips to events to personalized birthday cards by Ms. Sue and the list goes on, Al Salam takes care of staff as their own Family.
But the gesture that touched my heart the most was when I was sick and hospitalized, I received a fruit bouquet with a personalized card from Ms. Sue and Al Salam Family. The support I received from Ms. Tasleem as my line manager during my sickness is something I felt blessed and grateful for.
As a part of this beautiful family I now feel I have imbibed these qualities in me and I feel blessed.
Thank you ASPS for making this impact on my life.
On 10th of February, we had our most awaited trip to Desert Safari Many memories were made and many new things were experienced; powder soft sand, dune bashing in the desert, dreamy sunset, we got a chance to experience the sunset in the ocean of the desert and dinner at an authentic Barbeque camp offer an experience of a lifetime that you cannot have anywhere else in the world. The atmosphere was so enjoyable that staff members danced their way back to the buses and on the buses even at 8 in the evening. We would like to commend the Wellbeing Committee for organizing this wonderful start to a halfterm break.
“Into the desert I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” Ms Imakhia -Year 1
“Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They are mentors and role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it . — Barack Obama,1 Father’s Day Speech, Chicago, Illinois, June 15, 2008
Over the course of time, we have learned more about the essential roles of both mothers and fathers in the healthy development of their children Contemporary studies consistently show that children with involved, loving fathers are much more likely to do well in school; have healthy self-esteem; exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior; and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and delinquent activity, than children who have uninvolved fathers
Financial support from fathers is important, but data show that outcomes improve through both their monetary contributions and highquality interactions with their children.
Your biological relationship with the child does not limit fatherhood. Fatherhood is about the quality of relationship you have with your child.
Take time. Schedule time to spend with your child. Physical presence is equally important to a child. Listen. To grow close to your child, you might find it better to listen to them more than you lecture their behavior.
Be a positive role model. Remember, children learn through imitation. Your child observes and knows more than you might assume. Always practice positive behaviors.
Respect the child's mother. How children handle their current and future relationships will be influenced by how you treat their mother. Treating her with respect impacts their relationships. Show affection. To make your child feel secure and safe, practice showing them love whenever you're together.
Be present. Fatherhood never ends. Children notice when you are absent. Try to show up in their important life events, spend quality time together, and play together.
Sue Johnston
Margaret Kulsoom
Manar Khaleed
Summaiya Faraz
Hareem Rahman
Hamdan Gadit
