Year 1 Blog

International Day Photos on Facebook

2012-02-10T13:23:00.001+04:00

Posted using BlogPress from an RDS iPhone

Are you following RDS on Facebook?

You can see all the photos from International day on the GRDS Facebook page: go to

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/GEMS-Royal-Dubai-School/108910285823429

or search Facebook Pages for 'GEMS Royal Dubai School.'

International Day Photos

2012-02-10T01:47:00.000+04:00

You can see many of the great photos of the INTERNATIONAL DAY by clicking on this link:

INTERNATIONAL DAY PHOTOS

The photos have been uploaded full quality and you can download from this site as well.

ENJOY!

Sports Day

2012-02-09T17:24:00.004+04:00

Year 1 Sports Day

Year 1 Sports Day will take place on Tuesday 14th February at 8.30 am until 10.30 am. Parents are welcome to come and support the children.

Please ensure that your child comes to school wearing their full PE kit:

t-shirt
shorts
trainers
sunhat

Children must also bring their water bottles and any sunscreen must be applied prior to school commencing. There will be food and drink put on by FORDS. There will be a race for parents so if you wish to race, please come dressed in appropriate clothing.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

PE Team

Marine Biologist visits RDS

2012-02-07T18:01:00.001+04:00

Copy and paste the link below to read the report about marine biologist Katie Brooks's visit to RDS.

http://www.mantatrust.org/mantas-in-school/

Pictures of the Year 1 Africa Assembly...

2012-02-02T14:13:00.002+04:00

These can be downloaded from the GEMS Learning Gateway at:

https://www.gemslearninggateway.com/schools/RDS/Parents/Parents%20Gallery/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Username and password as for OASIS (online fee payment)

Great start to the Y 1 Rumble in the Jungle Assembly!

2012-02-02T12:56:00.001+04:00

YouTube Video

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Lara and Danyial did amazing writing about The Gingerbread Man!

2012-02-02T12:07:00.001+04:00

Well done!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

International Day Thursday 9th Feb: update

2012-02-02T10:26:00.001+04:00

A true learning heroine and an inspiration to our community!

2012-02-01T22:29:00.001+04:00

Mrs. Al Ansari and her boys featured in...

UAE news, 1st February 2012,

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/brothers-love-their-volunteer-mum

Brothers love their 'volunteer mum'
Salah and Khalid Al Ansari are used to seeing their mother at the front of their classroom.

She is not their teacher, but a few times each month Hifa Al Ansari conducts classes for her boys, seven and nine, and their classmates.

"I am a volunteer mum at my children's school," explains Mrs Al Ansari, an Emirati whose children attend Gems Royal Dubai School.

"I go in for English reading, helping them in mathematics and now I do Arabic-guided reading for some grades, too."

Mrs Al Ansari sees it as an opportunity to impart values. "It shows them I am there and very much tuned into their school life and they will grow up to be caring and respectful individuals," she says.

"It's also about volunteering for the benefit of others and I want them to do that, too."

Parents like Mrs Al Ansari are rare, according to a study by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai School of Government (DSG).

A paper released yesterday said very few schools prescribe to the concept of parent volunteers working alongside children.

The report also noted a lack of commitment among parents to their children's school activities.

It said that some highly ranked schools have good parental involvement but most have failed to improve this.

Research shows that pupils with parents who are involved in their school activities tend to have fewer behavioural problems and perform better academically. They are also more likely to complete secondary school, said the KHDA report.

For Mrs Al Ansari, involvement means volunteering at their school, taking the children to Quran classes and having their father take them to karate and swimming lessons.

"Apart from sitting with them for homework, every day they get 15 minutes of my undivided attention and I have to get the same in return. During that time, there are no phone calls, no interruptions, just me and them," she says.

Carmen Benton, a parenting and educational consultant for Lifeworks Counselling Dubai, advocates Mrs Al Ansari's parenting, calling it "an authoritative style".

"This is when the parents becomes more of a consultant, setting boundaries - not controlling them but rather trying to solve issues with them."

Whatever the style is called, it works for seven-year-old Khalid.

"I love it when mum comes to school and reads to us," he says. "My friends enjoy it, too. She makes us read hard books. Now I am so good at reading Arabic."

aahmed@thenational.ae

Dr. Raymond Hamden's 5 principles to give your children the world

2012-02-01T19:04:00.001+04:00

Links nicely with the RDS Race Car learner attributes...

More guidance on parent engagement from child psychologist Naeema Jiwani

2012-02-01T14:59:00.001+04:00

Please copy the link below into your browser to access the document on the GEMS LEARNING GATEWAY. The username and password are the same as the OASIS system (online fee payment).

https://www.gemslearninggateway.com/schools/RDS/Parent%20Engagement%20Help/Forms/AllItems.aspx

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Great example of parent engagement from Kayla in Year 2!

2012-02-01T13:38:00.001+04:00

Please send your evidence of parent engagement, home learning and how you talk, share and encourage to Mr. Redhead: p.redhead_rds@gemsedu.com

YouTube Video

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Arabic Phrases for next week!

2012-02-01T11:42:00.001+04:00

So we can all practise over the long weekend!

Andrada and Maria working on their Arabic at home

2012-01-31T13:46:00.003+04:00

...with mum's help!

Great idea for some home learning: TALK, SHARE, ENCOURAGE! Check out the website to learn more...

2012-01-31T11:38:00.001+04:00

Last week, Year 5 were lucky enough to have Katie Brooks, a Marine Biologist from the Manta Trust, come in and talk to them about their current science topic – Variation and Classification. Katie specialises in working with manta rays and whale sharks and based her presentation and workshop around these animals. She has a wealth of knowledge and the children gained so much information and inspiration from her.

The Manta Trust, is a newly registered UK charity whose aim it is to further conservation measures for manta rays and their close cousins the mobulas by using robust scientific research, raising awareness and providing education.

ARE YOUR CHILDREN GETTING THEIR 3-a-Day?

2012-01-31T09:30:00.001+04:00

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND IN EVIDENCE OF YOUR CHILDREN ENJOYING THEIR '3-a-Day'. THIS IS A HOME LEARNING TASK AND IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC TO SEE EVERY FAMILY CONTRIBUTING!

Please email your photographs or short (1 min.) videos to Mr. Redhead (p.redhead_rds@gemsedu.com) by Tuesday 7th February. He will put all of the evidence together and publish it on the blogs so that everyone can see just how we 'TALK, SHARE and ENCOURAGE' to help our children learn.

Have fun learning together!

DON'T MISS THIS! Dr. Raymond Hamden at RDS, Wed 1st Feb 2012, at 6pm

2012-01-30T11:59:00.001+04:00

Email Shelley: s.cain_rds@gemsedu.com to reserve your place!

1AL, 1CO and 1DM assembly

2012-01-29T10:18:00.002+04:00

weekly update 29.01.12

2012-01-28T14:33:00.001+04:00

January Prize Winners!

2012-01-26T14:14:00.001+04:00

Are You Getting Your 3-a-Day? Home learning evidence needed!

2012-01-24T12:10:00.001+04:00

International Day: Thursday 9th February 2012

2012-01-24T11:08:00.001+04:00

Psychologist Naemma Jiwani presents to RDS parents

2012-01-23T19:07:00.001+04:00

Naemma Jiwani from the Human Relations Institute delivering a workshop to RDS parents on Positive Resourceful Effective Parenting. Key points from the evening:

What types of behaviour do you PRAISE?

Child directed play, coaching and praise are highly effective and should be used as much as possible. Negative discipline should be used sparingly.

Children have to learn how to play and adults MUST intervene to stimulate their creativity.
Parent and child play have a great impact on child development, especially self- esteem. Children tend to be more creative and have fewer behavioral problems when parents engage in play with them.

Coach children but don't do everything for them! Use phrases such as 'You thought you couldn't do it but you did!'
Encourage risk- taking and let the children know you are to support and guide but NOT to take over!

For pre-schoolers, promoting independence is very important.

Play provides the opportunity for the child to set the rules and they will then be more likely to accept the parents' rules.

Recommended time is a regular 30 minutes per day with each child. Parents who do this find their children to be better behaved and that they have more personal time for themselves.

Ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so the child knows they get your attention when they are displaying good behavior.

Children imitate everything. Are you positive or negative about your own life around your children?

PRAISE the EFFORT and progress along the way, rather than waiting for the final product. PRAISE ALL GOOD BEHAVIOUR & EFFORT.
A lack of praise for good behaviour can result in bad behaviour. DON'T FORGET TO PRAISE!

Children who receive a lot of praise also learn to give it to others, making them more popular with friends and boosting their self-esteem.

Think about being a sports commentator on what your child is doing. Give 10 descriptive comments for every ONE question. Too many questions can irritate and discourage.

When parents let children read to them they can become families.

READ with C.A.R.E.

COMMENT
ASK open ended questions
RESPOND with praise and encouragement
EXPAND on children's cues and spot the opportunities for learning

Ask children how they feel. What are you proud of? Encourage them to own their accomplishments rather than just having them please you.

Must give equal attention to all children.

In summary:
Have special child-directed time;
Give specific praise;
Create a shared learning experience and be a role model!

TALK, SHARE, ENCOURAGE!

2012-01-23T13:52:00.001+04:00

3-a-Day Parent Engagement Launch

2012-01-22T12:34:00.001+04:00

30 children, parents and students are attending the big launch event at Dubai Modern. They will be sharing their learning with the RDS community soon!

Have you had your 3-a-Day?

Here is some of the learning from the session, as it happens..,

Dr Karen Mapp from Harvard School of Education talking about the impact of parent engagement on student learning:
Better grades, better social skills & behaviour...better life chances!

Parents' encouragement 'FROM CRADLE TO CAREER.'

Practical tips:
Cooking with children is a valuable learning opportunity for Talk, Share, Encourage.

'Parent / family engagement is like baking powder in a cake - it may seem like a small ingredient, but it is vital.'

Dr. Raymond Hamden, psychologist:

Family is the essence of a successful society...
We need to find a balance in life and time for family, values, culture, traditions. We should have a family day - and a family evening.

Watch this space for more details on the Talk, Share , Encourage initiative...

2012-01-22T08:36:00.001+04:00

Arabic phrase of the week...

2012-01-21T17:08:00.001+04:00

- Posted using BlogPress from an RDS iPad

2012-01-19T13:10:00.001+04:00

Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer backs The 'We Love Reading campaign'

2012-01-18T14:01:00.001+04:00

As we approach Parent Engagement Week, author Eoin Colfer writes about how important it is to read with our children and to model reading for pleasure...

by Eoin Colfer 17/01/2012, from The Mirror newspaper

WHY read to your kids? For that matter why read at all? Books are dinosaurs and words are their fossilised bones, aren’t they?

I’ve been hearing variations of this argument for 40 odd years now, ever since I first started to read.

For as long as I can remember books have been on the way out. Every new invention that came along was going to hammer the final nail into the coffin of literature. I imagine it started with moving pictures. Why would anyone read about a train when they could marvel at one chugging along a screen?

Later, television beamed entertainment into our living rooms. Surely books could never survive that? Then Betamax, VHS, DVDs, computers, video games and finally, that sprawling nemesis of the written word, the internet.

Books could never survive an onslaught of teenagers filming themselves falling off skateboards or reviewing net review shows. It was official: Books were history.

Unfortunately nobody told JK Rowling or Philip Pullman. Jacqueline Wilson was left out of that group email as was Michael Morpurgo, Dan Brown and Stephen King.

I’m sure it went on Twitter, but Ian Rankin and Martina Cole don’t follow that particular Twit. Neither do tens of millions of readers all around the world. In short: Don’t believe everything you read on the net.

BFG

Gruffalo

Books cannot die because every new medium is dependent on the written word. Every menu you navigate through has written directions. Every alien blasting, car crashing, pony killing video game your kids crouch before has a thousand options which have to be read off the screen.

You will be amazed how quickly a child will learn a range of complicated words when unlocking the next level depends on it. For example, my son knew the word shapes for every country in the world and their flags before he set foot in a school because he needed to in order to pick his fantasy football team.

So there you have it. Books will live forever, just like rock and roll, James Bond movies, Coronation Street, Top of the Pops, guitar heroes, Take That and all other movements, individuals or institutions who refuse to be told they have had their day.

“So what?” I imagine you cry. If I were an economist and not a writer of leprechaun stories, I would probably say something like: Studies have shown increased levels of literacy lead directly to economic gains for the individual, for their company, the exchequer and the country in general. More literate individuals enjoy better mental health, have access to job opportunities and have a longer life expectancy.

Come on, people. All you have to do is read The BFG and you will live longer!

But I am not an economist so let’s just agree books make you and your children healthier, wealthier and wiser and move on to what I care about: Happiness.

Most of us simply know that it feels rewarding to have your kid far away from a screen, nestled under your elbow with their small fingers clenched in excitement on your forearm and their eyes lost in the mythical worlds of Neverland or Narnia where you have just arrived together.

There are so few times in today’s modern world where our lives intersect with our children’s in ways that both parties appreciate, that it is a good idea to grab them when they come along. For me, the way to reach my kids is to read with them and make myself happier in the process.

My question to you is: Why would you choose not to read? That’s a bit like taking a trip to a funfair and not going on any of the good rides.

If you have eyes or fingers and a brain, then you owe it to yourself to read a book and let the fireworks go off in your head.

And it doesn’t even have to be one of my books, there are other writers who are not too bad, but I went to the trouble of writing this article, so you know, fair’s fair.

And reading is like a virus, in a good way. Once your mate notices you reading The Hound of the Baskervilles, then he might ask to have a look at it in case he might be missing out. And if your child sees you leafing through Stig of the Dump he might ask about it and you could say let’s read a chapter together.

That’s how it starts, then it spreads through schoolyards, book groups and illegal auto-chop shops across the land. And before you know it, Britain is reading.

Note: The fireworks going off in the head thing is a metaphor. Please do not place lighted fireworks in your earhole, or as my compatriot Louis Walsh might say: You will not be going through to the next round.

Eoin Colfer.

Birthday celebrations at RDS

2012-01-15T10:39:00.001+04:00

Click on image to enlarge

Arabic Mondays

2012-01-15T08:24:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

We will be extending our ‘Arabic Monday’ by sharing a phrase of the week every day and also sharing with parents on the class blogs for them to practice with their children at home. Teachers will greet or use the phrase of the week every day to raise the awareness for Arabic.

The greeting for this week is As-salamo Alaikom (Peace be upon upon you) and the response of this phrase is Wa-alaikom as-salam (Peace be upon you too) – It is used as a greeting throughout the world by Muslims and by Arabic people.

Thank you

The Arabic Team

update 15.01.12

2012-01-12T09:55:00.002+04:00

Please see the 'Home Learning' page for spelling lists as well as Exciting Writing every week.

2012-01-12T09:53:00.000+04:00

PARENT ENGAGEMENT WEEK: 22-26 January

2012-01-11T08:34:00.001+04:00

Message from Shelley:

Please see below for the programme of events for our Parent Engagement Week.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as possible, as they are all aimed at helping you to help your children succeed. As well as GRDS staff, we have a number of expert speakers presenting this year, as well as one of our parents, Andrea Humphries.
In addition, we have two sessions that will be delivered in Arabic, in order to improve access to the latest initiatives in parental engagement for our Arabic speaking families.

This year, GEMS Education is launching an exciting new initiative called ‘3-a-day’ and this will be introduced on Sunday 22nd January, by Mr. Redhead at RDS and also for the whole of GEMS at 11.00am at Dubai Modern High School, as per the schedule. The 3-a-day initiative is based on research from The Centre for Real World Learning at Winchester University in the UK and is aimed at further enhancing children’s learning through the development of a ‘TALK, SHARE, ENCOURAGE’ ethos between parents and children. If you would like to attend the main launch of this event at Dubai Modern High School, please let me know.

Please email me before the end of Wednesday 18th January if you would like to attend any of these sessions.

(click on the table to enlarge)

Kind regards

Shelley Cain, Parent Relations Executive

s.cain_rds@gemsedu.com

Can Collection Drive

2012-01-09T11:14:00.001+04:00

Pre loved uniform shop

2012-01-09T11:03:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

Please note that the Pre loved uniform shop will re open on Wednesday 11th January, 2-3pm in the reception area. We are still welcoming used uniform that is no longer required and this can be left at reception.

Many Thanks

FORDS.

weekly update 8.01.12

2012-01-05T11:48:00.000+04:00

2011-12-19T13:37:00.001+04:00

Spelling words

2011-12-15T14:20:00.002+04:00

Dear parents,

There will be no new spelling words given out over the holidays. The children have been assessed and will be placed in new phonics groups as of January. New spelling words will only be given out then.

Regards,

The Year One Team

Weekly Update 18.12.11

2011-12-15T14:15:00.002+04:00

2011-12-12T15:16:00.001+04:00

RDS ART RAFFLE & ART AUCTION!

Thursday 15th December 8am-1pm, Sunday 18th December 8am-10am and Monday 19th December 8am-10am ARTROOM 1
Please support Year6 in their effort to raise money for UNICEF by purchasing a RAFFLE TICKET to win an RDS artwork or bid for your favourite photographic canvas in our SILENT AUCTION!

1) Photographic Canvas SILENT AUCTION
(Named artworks)
Email your maximum bid amount to Miss Walsh t.walsh_rds@gemsedu.com
The highest bid, by 10am Monday 19th December, for each canvas will win. Payment by the highest bidder will be required on the first day of Term 2, 2012.

Equestrian

Fireworks

Flowers

Great Ocean Road

Snow-covered Spider Web

The Building

The Wall

Email your maximum bid amount to Miss Walsh t.walsh_rds@gemsedu.com
The highest bid, by 10am Monday 19th December, for each canvas will win. Payment by the highest bidder will be required on the first day of Term 2, 2012.

2) Student artwork raffle tickets 1dhs
(Artworks No’s 1-59)

3) Teacher artwork raffle tickets 3dhs
(Artworks No’s 60-87)

FINISHED!!!!

K9 calendars and cards still available!

2011-12-12T09:37:00.001+04:00

We still have K9 merchandise (Calendars 30aed each and Season’s greeting cards 10aed for a pack).
All money going to the K9 charity.
These can be bought by the parent café every day after school while stocks last.

Library Books!

2011-12-11T11:04:00.001+04:00

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Update 11.12.11

2011-12-08T12:42:00.000+04:00

Target Sharing Afternoon,Reports & Evening Learning Conferences

2011-12-07T08:12:00.001+04:00

Thursday 15th December: Y1-Y6 Target Share Afternoon 12pm – 1.15pm.

Parents are invited to ‘drop-in’ to class so that their child/teacher can explain current targets and share ongoing learning.

Formal reports and evening learning conference appointments will follow in February.

Poshpaws Fun Day Fri 9th December

2011-12-06T14:50:00.001+04:00

PARENT ENGAGEMENT WEEK: 22-26 JANUARY 2012

2011-12-06T11:46:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

All GEMS schools are holding Parent Engagement Week from 22-26 January 2012.

We are currently putting together a programme for the week at RDS and we would be grateful for any suggestions of events we could plan which would help you, as parents, to engage even more effectively in your children's learning outside school.

As well as teacher and child-led workshops, we would also really appreciate parent volunteers to lead events this year. For example, we have a parent who is planning a dyslexia support workshop.

Please email Mr. Redhead if you have any suggestions.

p.redhead_rds@gemsedu.com

message from the Arabic Department - Islamic Competition

2011-12-05T15:35:00.000+04:00

"Please make sure you email Mr.Abdullah if you want your child to participate in the Islamic Competition. Islamic Competition will be taking place all during this week".

Regards,
Mr. Abdullah

Exciting Writing 08.12.11

2011-12-05T13:30:00.000+04:00

Mirdif City Centre National Day Parade

2011-12-05T12:49:00.001+04:00

Were you there? Well done to all our fantastic children and families who took part, and to the parents of Krishna (FS2) and Advika (Y4) for sending in this Gulf News report.

Decorate the Dubai 92 Xmas tree!

2011-12-04T18:56:00.001+04:00

DUBAI 92 is opening the studio doors for the fourth year running to the Mums, Dads and most importantly kids of Dubai to decorate the DUBAI 92 Christmas Tree!
From 6.30am on Wednesday December 7 we want as many of you as possible to come down with your Christmas decoration in tow to decorate our tree. We’re going to be singing Christmas carols and dishing out Christmas treats courtesy of our friends at Costa!

If you would like to attend, just SMS ‘Christmas’ into the CBGB Breakfast Show: 4009

Hope to see you there!

RDS win MCC Art Competition!

2011-12-03T11:24:00.001+04:00

Well done to all of the children involved in creating this amazing piece of artwork - and to the fabulous Ms. Walsh! The public voted it the best on display at Mirdif City Centre!

See the report in The National:

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heritage/falcon-made-from-soft-drink-tins-wins-national-day-contest

According to the report, the school has also won 40 laptops!

Well done, everyone!

Charity Day: Thursday 8th December

2011-12-02T19:17:00.001+04:00

As part of charity day on Thursday 8th December, class 2PV will be making and selling healthy fruit skewers (5 Dhs) and smoothies (10 Dhs).

These will be sold at break-time. All money raised will be going towards K9 and Feline Friends Charity.

Feline Friends will also be selling 2012 hanging calendars and desk calendars - 30dh each and greeting cards at 10dh per pack. These can be bought at break time or after school near the parent cafe.

FORDS will be collecting used clothes to donate to charity. These can be brought in and put in the charity box which will be kept at reception from Monday 5th - Thursday 8th December.
The clothes donated must be in good condition.

Thank you

Poonam Vig
Year 2 Teacher

National Day Assembly about to begin!

2011-11-30T09:08:00.001+04:00

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1NS celebrate National Day

2011-11-30T08:33:00.000+04:00

Let the National Day celebrations begin!

2011-11-30T07:33:00.001+04:00

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National Day Celebrations tomorrow!

2011-11-29T14:17:00.001+04:00

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Parents supporting parents: WORKSHOP

2011-11-28T21:29:00.001+04:00

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2011-11-28T10:31:00.000+04:00

1NS have been practising Capital Letters and making different types of transport!

2011-11-28T10:11:00.002+04:00

Year 1 prize winners

2011-11-24T21:57:00.001+04:00

Well done!

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November prize winners

2011-11-24T21:53:00.001+04:00

Well done everyone!

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Emirates Festival of Literature Writing Competitions

2011-11-24T19:04:00.001+04:00

For the attention of all budding authors and poets!

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Rugby Sevens Competition NOW CLOSED!

2011-11-24T08:30:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

Please note that all spaces have now been filled. Thank you for your fantastic response!

At this stage, we think that at least 6 of the 16 teams participating will be led out in the opening ceremony by RDS families!

Whoever wins this year's competition, RDS will be there, leading and joining in the fun!

Rugby 7s competition update!

2011-11-23T11:30:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

England, Wales and Fiji have GONE! They will be led out at the opening ceremony by RDS families, who are also receiving free tickets and shirts - hooray!

Please, no more emails for these countries.

The good news is that AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND are BOTH AVAILABLE and any other countries may also be...

If you want your family to lead out these teams at the 7's next week, please email Mr. Redhead as soon as possible!

The UAE Human Flag!

2011-11-23T09:49:00.001+04:00

First pictures from this historic event, marking 40 years of the UAE!

Posted using BlogPress from an RDS iPhone

Win Rugby 7s Tickets and shirts!

2011-11-22T22:11:00.001+04:00

Dear RDS Parents

Dubai 92 Radio have contacted us to find families who love rugby and would like a starring role at the upcoming Dubai Rugby 7s. PLEASE EMAIL MR. REDHEAD BY MIDDAY THURSDAY WITH YOUR FULL FAMILY NAME AND AGES OF YOUR CHILDREN if you would like to take part.

FURTHER DETAILS from Dubai 92:

We’re looking for 16 families to represent the 16 countries playing at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens during the opening ceremony.

Do you know any families who are particularly passionate about the following countries; Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, USA, Wales, and Zimbabwe?

If you know of anyone who would be keen to represent their country in the opening ceremony, they’ll win four tickets to the Sevens and team shirts for four people as well, and walk the pitch during the opening ceremony.

Introducing the RDS Race Car!

2011-11-22T13:33:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents

As part of our vision to ensure that all children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes they will need to flourish in an uncertain future, we have introduced the RDS Race Car!

This logo shows the 7 Learner Attributes we think our children should be developing, in addition to the knowledge and skills taught through the regular curriculum. These attributes are now being included in planning across the school and teachers are talking to children explicitly about these, as well as providing activities to enable our learners to develop the dispositions.

The Race Car is on display throughout the school and you should begin hearing about the Race Car attributes from your children when they tell you about their learning at school. In Foundation Stage and Arabic, we are working on simplifying and translating the terms, with a view to producing similar Race Car models.

Please do ask your children about the RDS Race Car attributes, discuss the meanings of the words and point out when you see examples of each outside of school!

You will be hearing lots more about the RDS Race Car over the coming months and more information will be provided in due course.

Regards

The RDS Team

2011-11-21T15:04:00.000+04:00

1NS have been busy in Numeracy!

2011-11-21T12:17:00.003+04:00

1DM using iPods to help them with their Transport topic

2011-11-21T11:10:00.001+04:00

On a tour of the school...

Posted using BlogPress from an RDS iPhone

India Project Report...from Mrs. Hoskin

2011-11-21T07:26:00.001+04:00

Thank you everyone! You made a difference!

- Posted using BlogPress from an RDS iPad

Weekly update 20.11.11

2011-11-17T09:56:00.000+04:00

2011-11-17T09:53:00.000+04:00

Eye Tests

2011-11-15T21:03:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents,

Al Jaber Optical have offered a free consultation to RDS children in Foundation Stage and year 1 at an Al Jaber Optical clinic, for any parents who may wish to have their child in these year groups examined. Please contact any branch to avail this offer.

Theresa
School Nurse
t.whitfield_rds@gemsedu.com

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2011-11-14T14:59:00.001+04:00

2011-11-13T11:25:00.000+04:00

The Great GRDS Culture Quiz: Are YOU Ready?

2011-11-04T11:56:00.001+04:00

Please read this information and see the weblinks below! YOU could be the Culture Quiz Champion!

http://www.woodlands-junior.Kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/Islam.htm

http://quizzes4all.com/dubai-quiz

GOOD LUCK!

Eid Al-Adha Assembly on now!

2011-11-03T08:37:00.001+04:00

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Enjoying Arabic Books at the Book Fair!

2011-11-01T12:20:00.001+04:00

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Arabic Book Sale Now On!

2011-11-01T07:50:00.001+04:00

Don't miss it!

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Our brilliant, collaborative Arabic work!

2011-10-31T14:20:00.001+04:00

Do you know these words?

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2011-10-30T12:16:00.000+04:00

weekly update 30.10.11

2011-10-30T08:07:00.001+04:00

Best Attendance Trophy for October goes to...

2011-10-27T13:48:00.001+04:00

6LH and 3JB. Well done!

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Monthly Prize Winners

2011-10-27T13:17:00.001+04:00

Year 2 and whole school...

And the beach clean up team!

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2011-10-26T07:51:00.000+04:00

Mac Suite Time

2011-10-25T16:33:00.004+04:00

2011-10-24T11:47:00.000+04:00

International School Book Clubh

2011-10-23T08:33:00.001+04:00

Dear Parent / Guardian

We always like to encourage children to read at home so we’ve sent you the new ISBC catalogues to browse through.

The International School Book Club is a great way for you and your child to choose books together. The leaflets feature a wide range of books for all tastes and abilities so there’s something to suit everyone. You’ll also notice that every book is discounted so you can make great savings.

There’s never any obligation to order but if you’d like to buy anything there’s a new easy way for you to order. We’ve set up an online school group order so that you can visit http://world.clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/gems-royal-dubai add books to our basket and benefit from FREE P+P to the school*. You’ll be able to pay securely online by credit or debit card and the books will arrive in school for me us to distribute.

How to order online

1 Visit http://world.clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/gems-royal-dubai
2 Select the books that you’d like to order and add them to your basket.
3 Checkout and choose the ‘school delivery’ option.

If you’d like to buy any books from the Book Club catalogue please complete your online order by Thursday 17th November 2011.

We hope that you enjoy browsing through the catalogue and the website – it’s a great way to encourage your child to widen their reading experience.

Kind regards,

Rahab Saada
UCL Development

Weekly update w.b 23.10.11

2011-10-20T14:23:00.001+04:00

Pink Day CAKE SALE!

2011-10-19T18:40:00.001+04:00

Tomorrow, Thursday 20th October.

Children can bring money to buy cakes, all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research & Care.

Cakes will cost around 5Dhs.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Information Session for Parents

2011-10-18T19:01:00.001+04:00

One of our parents has kindly arranged a visit by a cancer specialist to talk to our mums about this issue.

The specialist's name is Dr. Falah Al-Khatib. He is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist F.R.C.R.I. at the Gulf International Cancer Centre and at City Hospital in Dubai. He was the previous head of the radiotherapy department at Tawam Hospital. Dr. Al-Khatib has 35 years of experience, including in the UK ( The London Hospital ).

This session will last 45 minutes and will take place at 12.15 this Thursday, 20th October. All RDS mums are welcome.

Please email Shelley Cain at s.cain_rds@gemsedu.com to book your place for this information session.

School Council Meeting: Minutes

2011-10-18T11:47:00.001+04:00

Yesterday, Mr. Irving met with the School Council for the first time this academic year. We will publishing the minutes of each meeting to help keep everyone up to date with the RDS Student Voice...

Royal Dubai School Student Council Meeting: Minutes
Monday 17th October 2011

Present
Owen (4JaB)
Jack (4SH)
Yassin (4GW)
Gerry (4LJ)
Millie (5EB)
Youssef (3TB)
Melania (5AM)
Lauren (3JB)
Isabella (5RM)
Amir (3LS)

Students were asked to introduce themselves and give reasons for wanting to be part of Student Council.

Students have a very important role and responsibility and it is very important that they behave in class and around the school.

Meetings will take place every 2 weeks, students can check meeting dates and further information on the Student Council Board which is located opposite the PE office. If Students are unable to make a meeting they must inform Mr Irving or ask a class mate to attend in their absence.

Students must ask their teacher for a few minutes to speak to the whole class each week and ask for their suggestions and ideas to be discussed at meetings. Suggestions and ideas can be written in a note book or written down and placed in a box, whichever method is used should be brought along to each meeting. Students are not to come to meeting with only ideas in their head.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 24th October at 1pm and students must bring either their student council book or box.

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Be a friend of RDS on Facebook!

2011-10-17T21:48:00.001+04:00

We have 131 friends on Facebook! If you aren't one of our group yet, find us now - you could be missing out!

Search on Pages for GEMS ROYAL DUBAI SCHOOL and join the celebration of all that is outstanding about our cool school!

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Home Learning

2011-10-16T15:47:00.002+04:00

Dear parents,

Please do not forget to check the 'home learning' tab for the homework, spelling and exciting writing updates each week.

The children have now moved into different phonics groups and the new spelling words for Thursday's test have now been added. They are also stuck in your child's pink spelling books to practice every day.

If there is any confusion, please email your child's class teacher.

Sincerely,

The Year 1 Team

1CH medicals

2011-10-16T15:09:00.000+04:00

Dear Parents,

According to school health guidelines all year 1 students are required to attend a medical examination during this school year. The school medicals for your child in 1CH will be this Thursday the 20th October.
If you have elected to have the medical attended to by your own doctor, a copy of the doctor’s report should be submitted to the clinic, which will then be filed in the child’s school health record.
A letter will be sent home shortly after the medical examination only if there are any medical concerns.

Regards,

Theresa

School Nurse

SCHOOL SHOES!

2011-10-16T13:44:00.001+04:00

PLEASE NOTE THAT CHILDREN MUST WEAR PROPER, SMART SCHOOL SHOES EVERY DAY, except when they are wearing PE kit.

TEACHERS WILL BEGIN SENDING EMAILS TO PARENTS IN CASES WHERE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

Thank you for your support.

The RDS team.

1AS learning letter formation and phonics on the i pads

2011-10-15T12:24:00.000+04:00

PLANT A TREE CAMPAIGN: PLEASE HELP!

2011-10-13T12:57:00.001+04:00

Dear Parents,

Last year GRDS participated in the ‘Plant a tree campaign’ organized by the EEG (Emirates Environmental Group).
We have been given the opportunity to take part in this event once again.
In order for us to participate we have TWO WEEKS to collect 100kgs of ALUMINIUM CANS.

WE CAN DO IT, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Please bring in ALL your empty and washed aluminum cans to MY classroom (2PV).
The total amount of cans collected will be weighed on 30th October.

I am CERTAIN we can reach our target- let’s do it!

Miss Vig

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