School Website: www.mic.com.qa Email: [email protected] Secondary Newsletter December 2014 Issue MESSAGE FROM MR A. MACAULAY: HEADMASTER I am delighted to be able to write to you in this my first Newsletter as Headmaster at Mesaieed International School. It has been a long and eventful term so far and we have seen a number of successes. As I am writing to you now, our BSME Under 15 team, has returned from Abu Dhabi where they nd came 2 place overall. This has been one of the many highlights of this first term. MIS Celebrate National Day For the future, a community focus in our de- velopment will be a key feature of MIS and I hope in the next few weeks and months you on the last day of term will take the opportunity to play a part in our growth. We are looking to open up the school for Community activities, allow a greater voice to our parent body and promote our shared values with you all. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the near future and I hope you enjoy the Newsletter Adrian Macaulay Headmaster The BSME Under 15 team returned from Abu Dhabi like conquering heroes! Full story later in this issue! MESSAGE FROM MRS J. GOLDSACK: HEAD OF SECONDARY Welcome to staff observed a minute silence for and Qatar Athletic Federation this first this much-loved student; Sports Coach, showed an interest secondary messages of condolence for the in visiting MIS to see for herself the school family were quickly received from talent we have at the school. newsletter. everyone at the school and from Amazed by what she witnessed, Liz The first within the Mesaieed Community. A has now offered her services to term of the remembrance service will be held work with our young athletes, to th academic for Nikhar on Sunday 18 January improve their skills and develop year 2014- at the school. their sporting talent. 2015 has been one of major On 20th October, the school held its The University Fair held on achievements, but also one of th great sadness in the Secondary first Secondary Open Day. Parents Monday 24 November, organized School. In September, we were able to attend lessons with by Mr Allali, Mr Naveed, and the welcomed 19 new teachers to the their children and observe a day of students from AS level (Travel and secondary school and, as a result, learning. Due to the success of the Tourism), was a huge success with we were able to expand choices in event, it was decided that there 13 universities and centres of KS4 and KS5 subjects whilst would be another Open Day at the further education attending. Miss offering an enhanced after-school secondary campus sometime Al-Mahdi and her team organized clubs programme for the during the second term (date to be the first ever MUN conference secondary pupils. Clubs are offered confirmed). (MISMUN), which was held on Thursday 4th December. The from 1.30pm-4.30pm, on the Improving links with parents has secondary campus, Monday to professionalism and attitude of the been one of our key focuses this MIS students at this event were Thursday, throughout the term. On Monday 10th November academic year. Clubs cover a range outstanding and the conference Mrs Gordon (Head of Key Stage 4) was incredibly well received by all of activities including social, held the Year 11 Intervention academic and cultural. All children who attended. The MUN and Programme Meeting. On Debate Teams, led by Miss Al- are encouraged to participate in th Wednesday 12 November I held Mahdi are rapidly raising the something extra-curricular during an open forum on ‘How my Child is the week and the clubs’ provision profile of the school within Qatar, Assessed and Secondary Literacy’. as we become true contenders for is updated every term (new clubs Parents reported that they will start on Monday 5th January key awards and accolades in this appreciated such meetings. 2015). field. The secondary calendar continues to be packed with Mesaieed International School activities and events as we move The year also started with the continues to grow from strength to encouraging news that 65% of our towards the end of the first term strength and the success of our and into the next, so please check students that sat I/GCSE pupils is now becoming widely your diaries carefully. examinations achieved five or recognised throughout Qatar. In more grade C or above passes. sports, our children are excelling I would like to thank all the 84% of those who sat AS level and they are beginning to lead the examinations and 100% of those teachers at the secondary school field in many inter-school for their continued enthusiasm and who sat A level examinations, competitions. Overall the students passed their qualifications. The hard work in developing the of MIS came second in the BSME educational experience offered to Celebration of Achievement games, in Abu Dhabi in November, afternoon for these pupils was well the pupils at MIS. The students and first in the athletics. These are continue to be responsive, well- attended as one of our key events amazing and unprecedented of the year. behaved, motivated and a delight achievements for a school that has to teach; this makes our jobs all Tragically, the loss of a much only been established for a little the more enjoyable. valued student, Nikhar Rooplal, in over six years! I wish you all an enjoyable and October 2014 shocked the As news of the pupils’ sporting community and the school alike. In relaxing Winter vacation and look prowess spread throughout Qatar, forward to welcoming you back to the first secondary assembly after Liz McColgan, world class athlete the Eid break, the children and the Secondary Campus in January 2015. A WARM WELCOME TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF STAFF (SECONDARY) By Mr. K.Koroma and Mr.D. Elvie The start of the new school year took on a new meaning as nineteen new teachers joined the Mesaieed International Secondary School team. Among the new staff members was the newly-appointed head of the three campuses Mr Adrian Macaulay. The teachers were excited and eager to start a week of orientation, before the students returned from their summer holidays. At the Secondary Campus, the new members of staff were introduced with thunderous applause from the student body, by the Head of Secondary (MIS), Mrs. Jane Goldsack. She expressed her delight that a large number of new members of staff have joined the school at a time when they are badly needed. She called on all the new members of staff to be dedicated, pro-active and performance-driven. She urged them to be open to new challenges, and to come up with new ideas that would lead to the progress and development of the school. The new members of staff are highly qualified and hugely experienced teachers who have all been recruited from the United Kingdom. The following teachers from Secondary Campus were employed to teach different disciplines: Mr David Elvie (English); Mr Kabbie Koroma (EAL); Miss Susan Chereni (English); Mr Mark Crabtree (History and Geography); Mr Rafacat Ali (History and Geography); Mr Naveed (History and Geography); Miss Samantha Andrew (Drama); Mr Roydon Temple (Design and Technology); Miss Rachel Devlin (Music); Mr. Ross Kirk (Physics) ; Mr Paul Gibson (PE); Miss Ann-Marie Creegan (PE); Mr Waqas Latif (Science); Mr Matthew McKenzie (Science); Mrs Sylvia Rogers (Mathematics); Ms. Shukri Barud (Academic Head of SEN Whole School) and Miss Sophia Mohamed (Languages). It is apparent that their presence and their contributions so far, have created a positive impact on the life of the school. We, the editors of the MIS Newsletter, hope that these new, vibrant, enthusiastic and highly capable teachers will continue to work diligently in order to boost not only the academic standards of the pupils but also the social and moral aspects of their personalities. CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT ON PRIZE GIVING DAY Mr S. Robinson, Head of Science Again this year, MIS celebrated its achievements in grand style. The annual prize giving event which was held in the school hall for the first time, and which mainly involved presenting certificates and prizes to Year 11 and 13 students, was well attended . The turn out of a large number of people including students, parents, guardians and distinguished guests, clearly indicates the incredible growth of the secondary school,. Some very good speeches were delivered. Mrs. Jane Goldsack (Head of Secondary) presented a summary of the years achievements, including some star performances as several students were identified for the top possible IGCSE grades. One student had a best in Qatar award - something this small school seems to make a habit of in recent years. Every student had their moment on the stage, receiving their certificate and pausing for a photo. It was a very special moment for each parent, as the children took the reward for all their hard work. Some students were singled out for subject awards, which were presented by Heads of Department. Each subject presented an award which was accompanied by a comment from the class teacher about what the student had done to receive the award. With so many excellent students to pick from, many subjects expressed the difficulty in presenting just one award. A good number of students were recognised for their achievements however. Afterwards while drinks and refreshments were on offer in the small hall, group photographs were organised to mark the successful MIS event. Thanks to Mrs Gordon and her team for organising the event; thanks to the teachers for working so hard over the duration of the courses; thanks to the parents for coming to the event; but most of all thanks to the students who are the heart and soul of the MIS community.