The big launch for this week was our new curriculum site, which is now up and running and constantly being updated and developed. You can find it at: www.abisoman.com/curriculum/ password: parents
The site is a handy aid for keeping track on what your child is learning and will become a mainstay in the school. It is also a really useful tool that helps teachers plan and collaborate together. For instance just this afternoon I have observed Mr Carberry planning his PE theory unit (systems, cells, nutrition) with Biology Teacher Miss Graves and Mr Hampton linking his art research to the renaissance unit taught by our Historian Mr Kearney. For the students it means that their learning will be reinforced through the perspectives and insights offered by a number of teachers.
We recently reviewed the Homework Policy for the school with most changes happening in Secondary. In doing so we considered a number of factors ranging from what other international schools are doing, how we could achieve a fair and reasonable balance, and what would be age appropriate. I have attached the new policy as a PDF so that you can see the guideline figures of what students are expected to do daily. Additionally, the Secondary teachers have sat down and agreed a schedule for homework to be allocated by subject, meaning that the load should now be regulated and reasonable. To support your child from home you can easily view their homework on their calendars and personal website. Whilst it may not be the most exciting dinner table discussion, the information does enable you to keep tabs on them and share your interest in what they are doing at school.
On that note I hope you don’t have too much homework to do this weekend!
Leo Thompson