Principal's Newsletter—March - April 2019 Edition Dear Parents  Better use of social media to keep parents informed the exciting activities their children are I hope you and your children had a restful Spring involved in. Break and are enjoying the final term of the academic year. In this term we focus on  New staff appointments to ensure that examinations and most students have important organisation, as well as teaching and learning, external examinations sometime during the term. In continue to improve. case you have problems preparing your child for the coming examination, you may approach your child’s  Improvements to the building infrastructure to teacher for support and tips to help them do well. ensure that the learning environment is as good After one term as Principal I have had chance to as it can be for our students. evaluate our priorities for improvement and I thought it would be useful for me to outline some  A new Local Area Board, made up of external of the things I have asked my Senior Team to work leaders in business and education, to support the on in preparation for the new academic year in school with its improvements. September. These priorities have been influenced by our recent DSIB inspection which confirmed many of  Improved support for Student Welfare through the judgements I had already made about the school. enhancements to our pastoral teams Although the school remains graded as ‘Good’ overall, we will not be satisfied until it is  A series of coffee mornings to give parents the ‘Outstanding’ so there is plenty of work still to be opportunity to meet the Principal and give me a done. feedback. In the next few months we will be working on:  An improved system for arrival and dispersal for I continue to be ambitious for The Westminster Own Transport students to increase student safe- School and hope you will be pleased with the ty. As part of this we will be issuing Parent Lan- developments over the coming months. As always, I yards that will need to be worn when are picking welcome feedback and encourage you to attend one up your children inside the school. of our coffee mornings or simply talk to me at the gate in the morning or evening. You will normally  A new assessment and reporting policy will find me just inside or outside gate 2 during arrival hopefully see reduction in the examination for and dispersal, although I do regularly visit the other students and a better method of assessments to gates as well. inculcate learning and academic progress. This I hope you and your children have an excellent term information will soon be sent to the parents. and I wish the students every success in their examinations.  A new behaviour and rewards policy will ensure strong sanctions for unacceptable behaviour being balanced by meaningful rewards for good behaviour.

 A new curriculum offer which will give a wider range of opportunities for our students.

 Streamlined communication systems with less need for multiple logins. Carl Roberts Executive Principal/CEO  A new homework policy which will lead to a reasonable amount of homework and fewer worksheets needing to be printed at home, particularly in the Primary section.

FS FUN SPORTS 2019

The FS Annual Fun Sports 2019 was held at the Boys’ Basketball court on Sunday, 3rd March 2019. The theme of the event ‘Real Life Heroes’ , helped students connect with the neighbourhood and reinforce the essential role they can play in the Community Helpers in Society.

The various events kept the little champions of the day brimming with enthusiasm and excitement as they balanced, jumped on hula hoops, hopped like rabbits, balanced lemons on spoons, crawled like caterpillars, stopped, dropped and rolled like firefighters, developing essential skills that are important not only to health and fitness but also to improve concentration, focus, determination, flexibility, speed, coordination and muscle control.

The Parents’ and Teachers’ Race thrilled the young learners who were delighted to see their parents and teachers participate and happily cheered them on.

Lil’ Champ Mst. Bgad Ahmed Elwakeel student of FS2G, participated in the following Championships and obtained the WINNERS CUP 2018 in the International Karate Championship at -UAE in association with Japan Shotokan Karate Do Kanninjuku Organization, on 23rd November, 2018 at Al JAZIRA CLUB Indoor Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Bgad was awarded the Blue Belt presented at Oasis Karate Center, on 15th February, 2019.

National Karate Championship JKS CUP 2019, at Individual Sports Club, on 1st February, 2019. World Book Day

The story “Little Red Riding Hood” was read to the students from the interactive TV and then the children were given an opportunity to enact the same in the classroom.

The children were very excited as they were able to make their own props to support the story. Some children made baskets, while others made cupcakes and flowers to take for grandma who is sick and lives across the woods.

A few children sat and drew the story in the correct sequence and labelled the things they had drawn and wrote the captions.

The moral of the story was “Don’t Talk To Strangers And Obey Your Mums And Dads”.

Before ending the session, the children also sang the song taught by Ms Asha “O-B-E-Y ! O-B-E Y……Obey your mums, dads, and teachers…” Helping and obeying parents is one of the ways students can earn GEMS Jewels of Kindness. Word Search

William Shakespeare wrote around 37 plays for the theatre and over 150 poems! No one can say the exact number, because some of his work may have been lost over time – and some may have been written with the help of other people.

The skills round was followed by the finals of the Skills Athletic 2019 two main track events – 100m and 4 x100m relay.

There was a special race for teachers and Mums and Skills Athletica 2019 was held on 6thMarch. The Dads. theme for Skills Athletica this year was, Skills of Tolerance and Co-existence, keeping in turn with It was a fun filled day as students, teachers and the Year of Tolerance. The day began with the parents enjoyed themselves. The day finally ended guard of honour followed by the National Anthem with Gamma House emerging winners. and recitation of the Holy Quran. The oath by the student leaders and the torch relay gave the students a good feeling of sports done in the right spirit of sportsman . The theme presentation was a spoken song on Tolerance by the House Captains and Vice Captains of Year 3 and 4.

The opening ceremony started with a March past our Executive Principal/CEO, Mr. Carl Roberts took salute.

The sports commenced with 12 Activity Zones and each zone represented a Tolerance attribute. Each zone displayed spoke song on their chosen tolerance attribute. Students enjoyed the skills at each zone as they moved from one zone to another.

QUIZ Who discovered gravity?

Charles Darwin

The tallest building in the world- the Burj Khalifa. It stands over 828 meters, with Sir David Attenborough more than 160 stories. That’s about three Eiffel Towers standing atop each other! It takes more than 36 workers three months to clean its glass facade. The job is not for the Sir Isaac Newton faint of heart.

Brian Cox

Having laid down all weight and load at the accommodation, the time for registration was due at the Business Ballroom. Arriving early was the plan and I expected a reception queue-free and quiet, but then everyone else had the same plan I suppose. As the elevator doors opened, I vow to have heard more than 5 languages at a time. Clusters of individual delegates and International Delegations from Morocco and Italy were amongst the largest to have arrived a day before and French, Arabic, and Italian The Future We Want Model reverberated throughout. Shortly thereafter, workshops for Multilateralism, United Nations International Negotiation, and Youth & Leadership were underway with American, Italian, and UN Diplomats leading the microphones for an audience of more than 2500 delegates. A number bigger than most schools. Moderated & Unmoderated Caucuses of the simulation were the defining moments for any MUN delegate putting aspiring diplomats in the hot seat of negotiation and persuasion – skills that everybody seemed to have packed in their luggage as the cultivate draft resolutions and target the Best Delegate Award for FWWMUN 2019. Debates were heated. Speeches were compelling. Messages were powerful. Diplomacy was in the air. Awards also included Best The Future We Want Model United Nations Position Paper and Honorable Mention and I am (FWWMUN 2019) New York, is a conference more than overjoyed to have taken the latter. inspired by the Rio+20 Resolution “The Future The committee sessions spanned a lengthy 3 days We Want” promoting the acceleration of the but felt like time had taken over too quickly. implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Held annually at the Grand Hyatt Long gone are the days where young voices do and the United Nations Head Quarters, New not hold power. Model United Nations is by far, York, it is the most diverse conference in the state one of the most substantive of evidences of how representing students from well over 135 students can change the world. countries. Arriving at Uptown, Manhattan, the bustling streets and bright lights were the first glimpses from this foreign eye. In an almost infinitely never -ending head-tilt from eye-level towards the sky, the high-rise buildings of the Big Apple tower over you. The city scape being the truest definition of urban. The 6th Annual UAE Inter school Business Simulation 2019

The Westminster School , emerged as Winners and First Runner Up in the 6th Annual UAE Inter school Business Simulation 2019 at Herriot Watt University among 63 teams from schools all over the UAE. This competition was about managing a company online in a highly competitive market through business simulations . different chocolates . In various rounds they had to manage their company in a highly competitive market . For each round they were asked to do an external analysis –market demands , competitors , news items as well as internal analysis – finance and inventory. Based on these they were asked to determine the strategic focus and take operational decisions on tactical level. The other companies were managed by the other student teams. This victory counts as the 10th win for our The team of students was appointed as a new Business students for this academic year. company’s management team. The company was a production company and produces four International Day of Happiness International Day of Happiness was celebrated with enthusiasm during Core Value Period. Students expressed their ideas to share and spread happiness. During the English lessons, students wrote letters expressing their feelings of happiness.

Emirati Cup 2018-19

Four students of TWS won events. While Farah Ossama won 4 accolades at the Emirates Cup gold medals, Yasmin won 3 golds 2018-19, prestigious swimming and 1 bronze, Zeina 2 silver and 3 competition held on 1st and 2nd bronze and Sara won 1 gold and 2 March 2019 at Hamdan Sports bronze medals. Complex, Dubai. Farah Ossama 12A, Yasmin Ossama 10G1, Sara Congratulation girls! Sinha 10G5, Zenia Mohamed 9G1 were the proud recipients in their

يوم الطفل اإلماراتي

في إطار احتفاالت الدولة بيوم الطفل اإلماراتي، نظمت مدرسة وستمينستر عدداً من الفعاليات التحفيزية المتنوعة مستهدفاً طالب دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة في المراحل اإلبتدائية والثانوية ونظمت ورش عمل في اماكن مختلفة في المدرسة منها ورش عمل للخط العربي وورش عمل هيا نقرأ وختمت بتصوير فيديوهات للطالب للتحدث عن طموحاتهم وكيف يخدم وطنه في المستقبل ويعتبر هذا اليوم هو رؤية الدولة وحرصها علي تنشئة أجيال المستقبل , وتذليل كل الصعوبات التى تحول دون تنشئتهم بشكل سليم ويؤهلهم ليكونوا فاعلين في المجتمع بما يتوافق مع رؤية اإلمارات

عـــيــــد األم أقامت إدارة مدرسة وستمينستر حفالً تكريمياً بمناسبة عيد األم يوم 12\3\1122 بحضور العشرات من األمهات واقيمت فعاليات متنوعة على مسرح المدرسة وتميز التالميذ بالعروض الفنية والمسرحية التي عرضوها أمام الحاضرين .كما كانت كلمة مدير المدرسة السيد كارل روبرتس الذي تطرق فيها إلى رحلة األم الشاقة مع ولدها خالل عملية إعداده للمجتمع وإلى مسؤولية الفرد تجاة األم

link into the TWS email to allow them to keep in LAKUM contact. 100 boxes were by the boys and girls filled As part of ‘Giving the boxes with stationery. Initiatives’ in the United Ar- Our target was to: To raise awareness about ab Emirates, the Hamdan bin tolerance and how it affects our understanding of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al the world. This project is also part of the GEMS Maktoum International Photography Award Jewels of Kindness initiative which encourages our (HIPA) launched a humanitarian initiative, children to engage in act of kindness. designed to encourage social values and goodwill to all. Through this initiative, the idea to teach and encourage children within the UAE the ‘Gift of Giving’ was born. This included providing educational and fun gifts to children in need throughout the world; One box at a time!

Lakum Initiative is a charity program aimed at providing useful and educational gifts to underprivileged children throughout the world donated by school children within the . The Westminster School, Dubai was also a part of this great initiative, the whole process started in the first week of February, 2019. Around the school, donations from Years 7 to 13, were collected and handled with care as volunteers packed boxes and prepared it for shipping.

Donations according to the age of the receiver knowing that somebody’s life can be changed with a small contribution. This is what motivated the job to be done. With the boxes backed small notes were added with encouraging messages and drawings to raise their spirits. Each box also gave a

Library Awards Ceremony:

Year 6 Class Presidents and Vice Presidents along with the award winners attended the Library Awards ceremony on 28th April 2019 at the Multiplus. The Best Readers of the year were awarded certificates. DID YOU KNOW? The Key to a greener planet is in your hands. Earth has been recycling water for over 4 billion years! That means we drink the same water as woolly mammoths, the first humans and King Tut. SHAKESPEAREAN SYNERGIES Shakespearean Synergies have now become skills and awakened the inner actor within. synonymous and an integral part of Year 9 where Whether they were given minor characters or the entire year level collaborates class and section major, stage hands or trailer in charge, the wise and unites to showcase any one chosen play coordination of among the team of students was by the famous English playwright, William commendable. Justice was given to each character Shakespeare. This project is undertaken every and most of them worked tirelessly for months of year to ensure that the students appreciate and hard work that could be seen from their understand the classics and especially understand performance. The light and sound added to the that human emotions and characters have stayed effect that really mesmerized the audience. the same through the ages. This is also an attempt Overall, it was a thrilling experience and an to sustain the love for literature in our students. eventful journey by the entire Year 9 team Boys This year Synergies took place on 22nd and 23rd and Girls. April in remembrance of the Bard William Shakespeare’s birthday. The journey began a few months ago and ended in splendor that amused and contented all. It was evident that everyone gave it their best! From the tragedies of King Lear to the comical Twelfth Night, Students stunned the audience with their power of enacting. Determination was one of the key aspects that had kept us going, it was an eventful journey. The play was an incredible way of showing the students how to project themselves in front of a large audience as well as teaching them leadership and coordination skills. It also enhanced their speaking INTER SCHOOL ISLAMIC COMPETITION On 27th of April, 2019, The Westminster School were participant of an Islamic competition organized by the Gems Modern , Dubai. Our students took part in 5 categories: Art and Calligraphy, Elocution, Qira’at, Nasheed and Project. For art, the pupil painted a canvas, of the portrait of His Highness, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and added a quote. The Elocution, two students were chosen from a senior and junior section to express their views about the topic, “Islam and Tolerance”, while using affiliated Hadith and Quranic verses. For Nasheed Primary and secondary students collaborated and read an excellent Nasheed. Whilst, the project demonstrated a relation between Islam and Science.

In conclusion, TWS, returned triumphant with many victories, initially, ranking first place in the column of Art and Calligraphy and Qira’at in the senior section. Moreover, the School the following awards : 3rd Place in the Islamic Project, Second Place in Qira’at at the Junior Level and 3rd Place for Nasheed.

Congratulations to the Islamic Department. AUTISM AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behavior. Spreading autism understanding and acceptance in the classroom, schools and beyond is important . April is Autism Awareness month and it's a great reminder to teach all of our students about empathy, understanding, and the differences within each of us. Autism Awareness Week aims to draw attention to the people living with autism – both to educate those unaware of the condition, and to help make the world friendlier to those who are affected by it. At The Westminster School, we observed Autism Awareness week from 21st April to 25th April 2019. A lot of activities were conducted to bring about awareness among the students. It began by educating students about autism through presentations and videos. The students designed posters, bookmarks, wrote slogans, engaged in Art activity to demonstrate their awareness about Autism. An art activity involving students of determination and G&T was conducted in the quadrangle. The assemblies conducted by the students included Autism awareness messages. Awareness leaflets and Bookmarks were distributed to Parents and Executive Leadership team, members of the administrative staff, ancillary staff and parents took a pledge of “I care, I’m aware” in the lobby. To conclude the awareness campaign, all staff lit up the place dressed in blue and Ms. Sara Ahmed Baker, a special speaker from the Dubai Autism center was invited to share her expertise and knowledge of working with children with Autism. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Excellence

On the 14th April 2019, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Excellence was held at Gems American Academy Dubai. The grand ceremony is organized every year since 2005 by GEMS Education to recognize female students in the UAE who have been nominated by their schools for their outstanding academic success, commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship work. We as a school are proud to announce that Lidia Sharon of Year 12 from The Westminster School, Dubai was honored by this prestigious award! Her involvement as a School Leader was commendable along with her academic performance. During the ceremony, a speech quoted, "this award is to empower women to continue to excel". While the awards were being handed over to the deserving students the auditorium filled with cheers and applaud! It was a proud and heartwarming moment for all present there. This event definitely empowered everyone who were seated in the audience.

KHDA Well—Being Summit

On 18th of April, the 1st KHDA well-being summit was held in IMG Worlds Adventure Theme Park, Dubai. On this day, Student representatives from schools all over Dubai gathered together to discuss and share ideas on the topic of “Student Well Being”. Selected students of Year 10 got an amazing opportunity to be a part of this event. Their activities ranged from having fun and making a skit imagining the classroom of the future, to having serious discussions and brainstorming sessions. In one activity, our group held a brainstorming session where we came up with an idea to connect students and schools regardless of curriculum, company or race. We then presented this idea to the head of KHDA and the entire audience were truly surprised with the fact that we will to continue building on these ideas and hopefully implement them with KHDA. Personally, this experience was truly amazing! Being surrounded by likeminded people from all over the world and Dubai, really motivated me to continue working towards the growing happiness in our school and all over the UAE.

By- Year 10 Student GEMS SWIMMING CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

In the swimming championships held at the Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai, Yasmin Ossama of Year 10 and Zaina Mohammad of Year 9 emerged as champions They represented the Al Nasr swimming club. Both secured gold, silver and bronze medals in various levels. It was a great experience and it was an honour to represent TWS in these competitions. They were given plenty of support and encouragement too by the P.E. teachers and students .

National Sports Day of UAE

Dubai police invited our students to be part of the National Sports Day of UAE under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai on 7th of March from 8:30am to 11:00 am at Dubai police Academy. under The slogan "UAE brings us together”. 42 students from the primary school participated in the event organized and enjoyed the experience of interacting with students of other schools. FS Annual Musical 2019 The FS Annual Musical 2019 was presented by the students of Foundation Stage 1 and 2 at the TWS Multi Plus on Tuesday, 30th April 2019. ‘Happily Ever After’ an adaptation of one of Oscar Wilde’s famous stories – ‘The Selfish Giant’ was a celebration of color, music and talent. The event was graced by the Principal Mr Carl Roberts, Mrs Alison Roberts and members of the Senior Leadership Team. The Musical commenced at 9:00 am and proud parents eagerly waited to catch a glimpse of their children on stage.

In keeping with UAE’s agenda ‘Year of Tolerance’ and the GEMS Jewels of Kindness initiative , the musical featured around the story of a selfish giant who would not share his beautiful garden with the children, thus causing Spring to leave his garden and bringing in sadness and gloom. On realizing his mistake, he brings down the wall that he had built and invites the children once again to play in his garden. This change of heart welcomes Spring back into the garden which once again is filled with the laughter of children, music and the twitter of birds. The Musical helped deepen the awareness of ‘Tolerance’ and the value of love and sharing amongst the children. The event showcased the skills of communication, role play, dance and music that the students had developed through the year and was supported by the FS choir who sang enthusiastically and melodiously. The well-designed costumes and props brought imagination to reality keeping the audience highly impressed by the commendable performance of the students who danced, spoke and sang with confidence. The Musical concluded with a delightful ‘Grand Finale ‘, as the young performers took to the stage for the last time bidding a fond farewell to an audience who were enthralled by the confidence displayed by the budding talents of Foundation Stage 1 and 2. Books to Read