Dear Primary Families,
Today we were treated to another amazing assembly, this time put on by our youngest students from Kindergarten 1, Kindergarten 2 and Grade 1. We shared in their learning overall, including Arabic and Music, and got some ideas about kindness and friendship too. Well done to the students and teachers, and thank you to the parents who were able to join us. Our next assemblies will be in November, and you will be invited to all assemblies.
Next week we are pleased to welcome Mr. Matthew Richmond to our ABIS Primary Team on Sunday, October 23rd. He has had an extensive overseas career and is an expert in leadership and the PYP (Primary Years Programme). He will be our PYP Coordinator and will work with all teachers and myself to continue to build and develop a strong program of inquiry and learning for students. Drop into our coffee meeting next Tuesday to meet him.
The October Primary Parent Coffee Morning will be next Tuesday, October 25 at 8am in the LC3 atrium. Drop in for a coffee and snack, catch up with other parents and find out what’s coming up in the primary section.
Keep your eyes open next week for a Newsflash with the After School Activities sign up information. Our last day of ASAs round one is Wednesday, Oct. 26. The first day for ASAs round two is Sunday, Nov. 6. You will receive the Newsflash on Sunday evening at 5pm.
Next Thursday, Oct. 27, you will receive the Term One Progress Report for your child. This is a summary of learning for the first quarter of the school year and will include comments from Homeroom and Mother Tongue Arabic Teachers. These reports will be followed up with 3 Way Conferences in mid-November, which will include students, parents and teachers.
Next week your child will find out what colour House Team they will be in for the year. This practice was not possible during Covid restrictions, and we are excited to start building activities that involve mixed grade levels. Student Council and teachers are planning for different kinds of House competitions. Primary classes will earn points each month for demonstrating Learner Profile traits. We are planning a school wide sports day in December, and our first event is coming up on Wednesday, November 9, the first week back after October break. Students will gather for the first time in their colour groups and enjoy eating their lunches picnic style together on the field. All students can wear a T-shirt, hat, scarf, trousers, or any other representation of their house colours that day. ABIS is working with a company that may be able to produce affordable ABIS house colour T-shirts and we hope to share that information with you soon.
We are so pleased that with the cooler weather, students are able to play outside during lunch recess now. Students still eat outdoors for the first 20 minutes, but are able to play in any of the playgrounds for the 2nd 40 minutes. Students who do not have a hat must only play in shaded areas, and everyone is reminded regularly to drink water often.
Don’t forget that our Autumn Break will be from Oct. 28 – Nov. 5. We will welcome everyone back to school on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Maeve