Update from the Principal
Dear Parents,
It is delightful to be able to write to you again and acquaint you with key events and achievements since the previous whole school newsletter. It is hard to believe that we are fast approaching the end of the academic year and already looking forward to the next one! As always, we have all experienced our ups and downs this year but made much progress in laying solid foundations to make our next academic year one to be highly proud of.
In recent weeks our students have been taking benchmark assessments such as GLs (UK) and MAPs (US), in English, mathematics and science. Secondary students in key stages 4 and 5 have also been taking their GCSE and A/AS Level public examinations. Our American curriculum students are taking their end of Semester 2 assessments also. Teachers and leaders have worked hard to prepare our students for these tests and examinations, and we look forward to celebrating the outcomes for all our students.
I take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for your ongoing cooperation and understanding. We wish you and your children a wonderful, restful and enjoyable summer once onsite schooling comes to an end. We also hope you will take advantage of the summer learning programme we will be offering our students on our digital learning platforms. This will help our students to be well prepared for the new academic year.
Some agreed changes for the next academic year 2023-2024
As we come to the end of another academic year, we look forward with much excitement and anticipation to the next one. This will be a great milestone in the history of SRS, celebrating 25 years of committed educational service to the local community.
We have taken time to think carefully about how to further improve the school so that we maintain exceptional standards in provision and achieve high outcomes in students’ achievement and personal development. I would like to highlight some of the changes you will see when our students return to school at the end of August:
- We will be strengthening communication and the sharing of information in Year 7 and 8 so that parents and students experience a much smoother transition from Year 6 into Year 7.
- Monthly parents consultation meetings in the first term so parents can discuss with their child’s subject teachers how their child is settling in and getting on.
- We are introducing curriculum booklets for Years 7 and 8, to acquaint parents with what their child will be learning for the whole academic year. Every subject will be covered, giving an outline of the topics taught in every learning cycle and information about assessment supported by additional website links.
- Parents will receive a weekly curriculum update, which highlights the learning happening in every subject that week. Refer below for the sample weekly curriculum update.
There will be a sharper focus on behaviour management across the schools; poor behaviour and attendance will not be tolerated. The school will become a mobile free zone, hence mobile phones will not be permitted in any shape or form. This is to ensure better safeguarding for all students, respect for UAE privacy laws, and a consistently strong focus on learning. Students not conforming to school rules and expectations will continue to be supported to help them improve quickly.
The above measures, alongside those already in place, will ensure that our prime focus is always our core business, teaching and learning. I know you will continue to support us in ensuring that all our students get the best opportunity to unleash their potential and achieve more than they think they are capable of achieving. Our job is to create the conditions to enable that to happen.
Dr. Nasim Butt
RSI Director/Principal
Arabic and Islamic Studies News: أخبار القسم العربي وفعالياته
Primary School News
FS Live Teaching
In FS we were very excited to invite parents to our live phonics teaching event. After a short briefing from Mr. Michael and Early Years Leaders parents were led to classes along the corridor to witness their child receiving a session.
Teachers used Flash cards, rhymes and repetition to embed knowledge and then pupils used their Phonics books to showcase their letter formation and phonic knowledge. Parental feedback is very important to us, and therefore parents were given the opportunity to ask questions to leaders.
FS1 and FS2 have been developing their design and technology skills.
KS1 Open Phonics Event
KS1 had the pleasure of welcoming parents into our Phonics Open Day events. It was a joy to showcase the learning and high-quality teaching that is taking place, allowing parents to further understand our ethos around the teaching and learning of phonics. The children were very excited to see their parents in the class and we very much look forward to hosting similar events in the future.
Year 3 go to the wild
Year 4 go the extra mile for PE
Junior School News
UK Secondary School News
We have recently unveiled the SRS Golden Standard certificate in the UK Secondary. This is our most prestigious award, and it is given to students that have received zero demerits (negative points) for four consecutive weeks.
To make the award as desirable as possible, we will ensure that it forms part of the student permanent record. This means that whatever ventures our students move on to in the future, this accolade will accompany them.
In addition, the certificates will have the signature of the SRS Principal, Dr Nasim. Again, this is to demonstrate how highly we esteem their efforts and good conduct.
Graduation Parade
We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our recent senior graduation parade at the School of Research Science. It was a day filled with joy, celebration, and well-deserved recognition for our senior students.
The parade took place right here at our school, and it was a fantastic opportunity for the graduating seniors to showcase their accomplishments and hard work. We were honoured to have members of the Dubai Police join us, showcasing their amazing skills on the drums and providing an exciting atmosphere throughout the route.
The turnout for the parade was amazing, with students, teachers and staff members coming together to support and applaud our graduating seniors. The atmosphere was electric as everyone united to celebrate their achievements.
Throughout the parade route, students lined up with flags and banners creating a festive ambiance. As the seniors proudly marched, they were met with cheers, applause, and words of encouragement from the entire school community. It was a heart-warming display of unity and appreciation.
This parade was a special moment for our graduating class to reflect on their educational journey and the memories they have made at SRS . It was a time to cherish the friendships formed, the knowledge acquired, and the personal growth experienced.
More importantly, the senior graduation parade marked a transition to the next chapter in their lives. As they bid farewell to high school, the parade served as a symbol of their bright futures and the countless opportunities that lie ahead.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Dubai Police for their valuable contribution to the event, which added an extra touch of excitement and energy. We would also like to express our gratitude to the students teachers and staff members whose enthusiastic participation made the parade a resounding success.
US High School News
Message from the Acting Principal
Dear SRS Parents,
We are excited to share with parents some of the school events that our students have been engaged in, as well as some upcoming school events that students will be participating in.
Students have been attending a myriad of field trips. During the month of May students attended the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC), as well as ESMOD. In the month of June, some students will have the opportunity to attend Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA).
We held our first ever Electives Fair on May 16th and 17th for grades9 -11 students, where they chose their elective courses for the next school year, for both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students chose from an array of elective courses that will help them make decisions about their college and career pathways.
Beginning May 22nd , students in grades 9 – 11 began taking their Spring MAP Assessments in English, Math and Science. Grades 9- 11 students take MAP assessments 3 times per year (Fall, Winter, Spring); making progress on MAP assessments is one of the UAE National Agenda priorities.
On June 6th and 7th , we will have a rewards ceremony for students who have achieved a grade of a 90 and above in their classes. We will be recognizing those students who have shown high achievement in their core classes as well as in their electives classes.
Students will begin taking their Semester 2 exams, on June 14th. The Semester 2 exam schedule has been shared with parents, please call the school for any inquiries regarding Semester 2 exams.
On June 19th , we are looking forward to the Grade 12 graduation. Congratulations to all parents of the 2023 Senior Class, we share in your excitement.
We want to thank all parents for their ongoing support this school year, we are looking forward to a great rest of the school year and finishing SRS strong.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dawn Stoner
SRS US High School, Acting Principal