newsletter

Volume 8 Issue 14 07 May 2015
NEWSLETTER
Dates for your Diary:
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Stay up to date with the school's latest
Final IB Diploma (IB2)
Exams
news & info !
• 4-22 May
Secondary School Music
Concert at 3.30pm-4.30pm
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
• Tuesday 12 May
I
Mr Dean Pyrah
Principal
am often asked by parents what I think is the
most important thing they can do to support
the growth of their children’s learning at home.
Clearly being involved and interested in what your
son or daughter is learning at school is essential
and perhaps the most important element. The
more you monitor your child’s journey at school
and share their experiences, the better they
generally perform. By fostering an atmosphere
where learning is seen as normal and enjoyable,
children will seek out opportunities to learn
and will see worth in the process. Illustrating
the opportunities for children to explore their
curiosity and creativity is also very important. Allow them to ask questions and encourage
them to seek answers. Allow them at times to fail and assist them through this process to
help build resilience. Most importantly create a culture of high expectations, accountability
and a love of learning new things.
It is also important that we promote balance in the lives of our children. We should be
encouraging all of our children to get enough sleep at night and assist them to eat well
and to exercise regularly. It is important also that they find balance a between play and
work. Monitoring how and when children learn and play is central to a child’s growth as it
helps them to understand accountability and instills in them a sense of understanding and
responsibility for their own time management.
Pre-KGA,B
Excursion to
Build a bear workshop
• Tuesday 12 May
Quran competition Awards
Ceremony(P7 & 8) at 13:30
to 14:50
• Wednesday 13 May
Final GC Diploma (GC2)
Exams
• 24-28 May
Grade 1 Breakfast
• Thursday 28 May
Year 10 and 11 (IB1) Exams
• 31 May - 04 June
Year 10 and 11 (GC1)Exams
• 31 May - 08 June
Year 10 Work Experience
• 07-11 June
Graduation Assembly
• Monday 08 June
ELC Celebration of Learning
/ Father’s day celebration
• Thursday 11 June
Pre- KG, KG1 & KG2 final
Performance
• Thursday 11 June
Mr Dean Pyrah
Principal
MOE Arabic, Islamic and
Social Studies Exams
• (TBA)
Award Ceremony
• Wednesday 24 June
2
VISS NEWSLETTER
From the Secondary School
I
would like to start this piece with a thank you to everyone involved in the Secondary School
production of “Princess Who?” last week. I saw all three performances and thoroughly enjoyed
myself and it is clear we have some great acting talent emerging in the school. These events do
not happen without a huge amount of work and I am grateful to Mr Mo and his team of students
and staff who put such a great effort in to bringing it all together.
Mr Jim Stearns
Deputy Principal
Head of Secondary School
We are now well in to the exam season, with the IB exams starting this week and the GC exams
happening in a couple of weeks. Although there are still some lessons remaining for Grade 12
GC, Grade 12 were given a proper send off last week, with informal speeches, certificates and a
splendid cake! Although I have only known Grade 12 since I joined last summer, the sense of
community has really shone through and I wish them every success in the coming weeks.
For the rest of the school, assessments and exams loom later in the term. We will be busy right up until the students finish school
on June 25 and exam timetables for each year will be published soon. Please keep an eye out for these important announcements
and I look forward to all of the VISS Secondary students putting in their best efforts throughout this busy term.
Mr Jim Stearns
Deputy Principal/Head of Secondary School
W
e are delighted to invite you to a special ‘musical treat’ to end the school year on a positive note.
Secondary School Musical May Madness
Please come along and enjoy performances from our Grade 9 & 10 music students. The concert will include the following:
VISS Band
Guitar Club
Solo performers
»
»
»
Date: Tuesday 12 May at 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Main Theatre (enter via Gate 6)
We look forward to seeing you there!
Tea, coffee and nibbles will also be available.
OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
Ms Nevann Hardwick
Director of Music
3
VISS NEWSLETTER
Princess Who?
O
n April 28 and 29, an enthusiastic cast and crew delivered their successful performances of our Secondary School drama
production ‘Princess Who?’
The play, based on a story where a girl wakes up in the middle of the ‘Misty Forest’ and has no memory of who she is or where she
is from. On her journey through the forest, she meets random fairy-tale characters like Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks, Snow White,
Cinderella and many more, all of whom contribute one way or the other to her process of finding out her name and where her
home is. It’s a very funny script and the actors delivered the lines with a lot of talent and comedy.
A huge amount of work has gone into this production and I’d like to thank all the cast members, crew members, teachers,
technicians and everyone who contributed to the success of this production!
Mr Mohamed Elashiry
Teacher - Performing Arts/Humanities
Al Ihsan Charity Drive
S
ince the beginning of Term 2, VISS students have been involved in a charitable
drive as part of a partnership between Al – Ihsan Charity Association and VISS.
Al – Ihsan is a humanitarian organisation which was founded in Ajman and provides
many services to the poor and disadvantaged. These include provided financial aid
and health related services to those in need.
The drive was a student led initiative including the Student Representative Council
and the Grade 10 Islamic Studies students. For the campaign, students produced a
promotional video reminding people to give generously to the cause which they
presented to the school community during a recent assembly.
For the school’s efforts, a Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to VISS which was
received by the Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary, Mr Jim Stearns. Organisers at
Al – Ihsan thanked all students and teachers involved in the project for their efforts.
Mr Ahmed Briki
Head of Islamic Studies
4
VISS NEWSLETTER
from the primary school & EArly Learning Centre
student representAtIVe councIl
A
t the end of Term 2, Ms Bernadette and Mr George attended the SRC celebration lunch to thank the student leaders for their
hard work and dedication throughout the term. The SRC ran assemblies with Mr Jon, conducted research on our current
wastage bins around the school and met with Mrs Kerry and Ms Bernadette about running activities at recess and lunch for the
students. I would like to thank last Term’s SRC’s for their commitment to their leadership role.
Student Leadership – Term 3
The Student Representative Council has been chosen for term 3. A range of students across Grades 4 and 5 prepared a speech to
deliver to their classroom on why they would make a good representative on the SRC. The following names are the students who
were successfully elected to the position of SRC representative.
Grade 4
» (4A) Ayub Ahmed and Lujain Almaazmi
» (4B) Afraz Alam and Adria Carvalho
» (4C) Feha Al-Azad
» (4D) Aya Elhamarna
» (4E) Najla Sembaij
» (4F) Shaheen Dhambola and Jessica Rafferty
Grade 5
» (5A) Karma Fouda
» (5B) Ramsha Iqbal
» (5C) Yara Al Saraj
» (5D) Leen Dajani
» (5E) Saeed Kanah
Mr Broden Borg
Teacher - Grade 5D
5
VISS NEWSLETTER
VISS VALUES AWARD WINNERS
Term 3 WEEK 2
Grade 2D
Mohammed Al Suwaidi
Nurah Yasmin Malik
Lina Hamada
Grade 2G
Farida Gad
Batool Almitwali
Sebastian Kamalati
Yaser Nabiyev
Bashir Al Hassoun
Grade 3A
Raed Mardom
Rahaf Abdalla
Saeed Almarri
Grade 3C
Mariam Binjersh
Arbaaz Shahid
Fatma Hindi
ABSENT – Grade 2G - Jordan Sahawneh
Grade 3C - Aniss Hammad
Grade 3E - Yousef Al Shurafa, Dana Fouda, Alya Qawam
Grade 4D - Khalid Foudeh
Grade 4F - Waleed Mohammad, Shaheen Dhambola
Grade 3E
Dana Kananeh
Abdullah Al Dhaheiri
Anahita Jaberi Zadeh
Nada Gadwat
Grade 4D
Aya Elhamarna
Saif Almagrabi
Sara Alshurafa
Aisha Alsuwaidi
Grade 4F
Hana Nasser
Mahmoud Kamel Tolba
Mahra Altunaiji
Shamma Alhelli
Abdulrahman Alshaibani
Anas Jalghum
Grade 5A
Erkan Nasirli
Alsajad Alsaad
Eman Alsuwaidi
Hamad Almehiri
Hanif Kapetanovic
Khalid Adbelhaq
Parmis Nezam
Grade 5E
Rama Diab
Abdelaziz Alowais
Ibada Mohammed
Sufyan Chaudry
Term 3 week 3
Grade 1B
Marya Mardini
Youssef Ahmed
Grade 1C
Abdul Aziz Alnaqbi
Hessa Almualla
Grade 1E
Ghala Alhajeri
Raajvir Kasar
Ahmed Ahmed
Grade 2D
Jana Da’as
Hend Al Marazeeq
Pari Dewan
Ishaan Amyn Virani
Grade 3C
Youssef Hafez
Ahmed Zakarneh
Heidi Mahnoud
Simran Selim
Grade 3E
Musabeh Almansoori
Abdulloh Dadajanov
Layla Obeid
Malak Elsadek
Abdelaziz Zarouni
Grade 4C
Anas Kamran
Abdulraheem Gad
Malak Talib
Grade 4F
Joud Khalid Taryam
Ahmed El Tammari
Jana Abdalla
Shaheen Dhambola
Grade 5C
Tazkeer Absar
ABSENT – Grade 2D- Syed Mustafa Ghaznavi
Grade 3C- Hind Alsuwaidi
Mr George Ibrahim - Curriculum Coordinator and Grade 5 Team Leader
6
VISS NEWSLETTER
Maraya Art Centre became a classroom for KG2 students
K
G2 students are exploring the Inquiry topic of Creative Art this term, and visited the Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba to explore
G2 students are exploring the Inquiry topic of Creative Art this term, and visited the Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba to explore
the Art gallery and appreciate artwork across various styles and cultures.
the Art gallery and appreciate artwork across various styles and cultures.
The teachers helped the students by describing what they saw in the paintings and guided them through the other exhibits such
The teachers helped the students by describing what they saw in the paintings and guided them through the other exhibits such
as sculptures and recycled objects that were turned into artwork.
as sculptures and recycled objects that were turned into artwork.
They were also privileged to meet an Arabic author who read the children one of her books.
They were also privileged to meet an Arabic author who read the children one of her books.
Some of our children also donated books to the Book Shelter, which runs like a library. They happily accept any books to enhance
Some of our children also donated books to the Book Shelter, which runs like a library. They happily accept any books to enhance
the enjoyment of their visitors.
the enjoyment of their visitors.
Amazing art work by budding VISS artist
Book Shelter: The KG2 students donated a few books and brought back some books from the Book Shelter at Maraya Art Centre.
T
he following is information about The Book Shelter which is also available on www.maraya.ae :
The Book Shelter is a local initiative that focuses on making books accessible to the public- free of cost. Being passionate advocates
of reading and education, the Book Shelter strive to create the largest free library in the world.
By sourcing books from donations from the community, the Book Shelter creates a sustainable project that recycles, promotes
reading, and strengthens the reading culture in the U.A.E.
Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba, Sharjah, 1st floor, the Book Shelter library in Maraya Art Center is open and free to the public. The library
is updated monthly and each person can take up to four books a month. Please register the adopted books into the registration book
provided. You are not required to return the books but if you wish to do so, or if you would like to donate books to The Book Shelter,
there is a donation box beside the library to drop off your donations.
Ms Reshma Kudrolli
ELC Coordinator
VISS NEWSLETTER
7
KG1 Excursion: Posh Paws Animal Farm embraces an experience that relates to The Early
Years Learning Framework for Australia: Belonging, Being and Becoming.
E
xcursions are very important in the Early Years, as they help the children connect with the wider world and their community.
They are also amazing learning experiences, providing situations impossible to recreate within their class rooms.
KG1 students had a great day on their excursion to the Posh Paws Animal Farm in Dubai. It was a superb and entertaining
environment allowing children to touch, feel and interact with animals. Our students enjoyed the supportive, engaging and
hands-on experience with different animals such as an ostrich, an emu and snakes. It was amazing to see their confidence bloom
as they bravely held a snake, sat on a turtle and hand fed the farm animals such as the cow, sheep and goat. They enjoyed the walk
through the farm where ponies were in their paddocks, baboons in their cages and ducks, hens and roosters all around them. It
was a wonderful experience for our students as they were exposed to different animals and enjoyed some up close and cuddly
time in the petting area.
Ms Reshma Kudrolli
ELC Coordinator
VISS NEWSLETTER
8
VISS-FIT NETBALL TEAM
V
ISS-FIT Netball Team is a group of female staff members that was formed in September 2014. The team played in the Dubai
Netball league every week, concluding last Tuesday 28 April with VISS celebrating a well-deserved victory in the last match of
the season.
As well as competing in the league, the team trained once a week at VISS and their members took part in
events such as the “pink is punk” fun race. Congratulations to the whole team for their effort and commitment
throughout the year. It’s all due to the dedication and hard work of every individual working collaboratively
and supporting each other to develop skills making use of our various strengths and areas of enthusiasm that
the team succeeded to represent VISS.
●Ms Natasha Shukuroglou - (Grade 4 Teacher):
“It has been a great opportunity to build relationships with other schools whilst promoting VISS in the
sporting arena. It was also great fun with an amazing group of girls!”
●Ms Elizabeth Mcintosh - (Teacher, Primary School):
“This season it has been very enjoyable playing in the VISS fit netball team. We have played some challenging games this year and
it has been great seeing the whole team work together. Go VISS fit!”
VISS-FIT Netball Team is part of the HPE VISS-FIT team, overseen by the Head of HPE, Mr Russell. Mrs Carolina was the Team Manager,
with Mr Coby as Coach and Ms Liz as our team Captain and Umpire for matches. Thank you to everyone and see you next year!
VISS-FIT Netball Team