AL NOOR-ABA NEWS4th October 2018

Upcoming Dates 08 Oct PTA Open Meeting PTA Room 7.40am

09 Oct Superintendent’s Forum PAC 7.30 - 9.00 am 6.30 - 8.00 pm

10 Oct Grades 9, 10 & 11 PSAT Exams Secondary Lecture Hall 7.40 am -12.15 pm 11 Oct New Parent Workshop - Child protection Secondary Lecture Hall 7.40 - 8.20 am 12-14 Oct ABA Long Weekend

14 Oct School Closed

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Parents,

I wonder if you are an avid newsletter reader or an occasional browser. Last week, I read an interesting article entitled “‘WhatsApp? Parents are drowning in school info’ - One frustrated mum says she is now receiving information from school in nine different ways each week” TES 24.9.18

(https://www.tes.com/news/whatsapp-parents-are-drowning-school-info)

It highlighted a dilemma that faces all of us, that of communication. Where once a newsletter was the communication from the school and found in varying conditions in the backpack of students at the end of the week, we now have a plethora of options for communication. The challenge for a school is deciding which ones to use.

At ABA, we have different media for different purposes as there isn’t one medium suitable for everything. When it comes to general information about the school, we have this newsletter and we have two social media platforms. Below are the advantages of the latter. I would strongly encourage you to sign up for these platforms as they offer near real time information and reminders as well as pictures and opportunities to comment. Between the three, we hope to cover all ABA news. We hope that these will meet your needs. Should you feel that communication is all getting too busy, as the writer of the article opines, please continue to read the newsletter as she suggests is best.Have a great weekend of reading.

Simon Taylor Superintendent

Message from the High School

Grade 11 and 12 Coffee Morning

This week we welcomed Grade 11 and 12 parents to a coffee morning. We understand that not all parents are able to attend and therefore we will share some of the key information discussed below. Our next coffee morning will be for Grade 9 and 10 parents, 7:30- 8:30 on Tuesday October 30th in the PTA room. Questions can be submitted from: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQ3Zgc080tO9mIQUlkglomAmN8x-pR9BZ-LTNWe1ixMug8cw/view-form

Discovery Week

Discovery Week will take place during the week beginning Sunday January 20th for Grade 11 students only. All trips must have a CAS focus and we have been working to ensure there are a variety of experiences available at different costs. In consideration of the environment, interest, cost and a commitment to experiencing Oman and the opportunities available here we have just one overseas trip. Following the success of the trip last year, the overseas trip will be to Laos. Trips in Oman include learning how to Scuba Dive, a Junior Chef Cookery Course and an expedition in Mussandam. With parental permission, students can also self-organise (individually or small groups) their own CAS experience. For example, this might include volunteering at a local hospital for the week. The itineraries for trips have been organised and details will firstly be shared with parents (including costs and payment dates), and then the next day shared with students. Once launched, places are secured on a first come, first served basis by paying the deposit.

High School Prom

Annually (during March), our High School Student Council organises the Prom for students in Grades 9-12. They are supported by Mrs Hostetter and Mrs Keys who are working with the Student Council throughout the academic year. One parent asked how they could support with the organisation of this event if needed. If you would like to help then please contact Mrs Keys (rakeys@abaoman.org ) directly.

Grade 12 Graduation

The provisional date is Thursday 30th May since the DP examinations start and finish a bit later this academic year. The formal event is organised by the School and the evening event by parents. Typically a committee is formed by a small group of Grade 12 parents to organise the evening event.

Message from the Middle School

October is Bullying Prevention Month in the United States and hundreds of schools participate in different activities to promote inclusion, acceptance and preventing bullying and cyberbullying. During this month in Advisory, Niqash and assemblies, Middle School students will become aware of the prevalence and impact of bullying in their community. Conversations will include differentiating between peer conflict and bullying: how to help and support friends who are experiencing bullying: identifying a trusted adult to talk to about this important issue and how to stop bullying. The links below contain information for parents on how to spot the signs of bullying, talking to your child about bullying and empowering teens to speak out. https://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/

https://www.bullyingfree.nz/assets/Uploads/Tackling-Bullying-A-guide-for-parents-and-whanau.pdf http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/bullying-tips-parents https://www.huffingtonpost.in/the-swaddle/how-to-help-your-child-de_1_b_8176914.html

ClaireAnthony MiddleSchoolCounselor

Theory of Knowledge (ToK)

It was discussed and agreed that a parent workshop would be helpful. This will be discussed with the ToK Coordinator and once a date has been set this will be communicated with parents.

Exam Dates

Key exam dates are published in the school calendar via the Parent Portal.G12 Mock January 20-24th 2019G12 DP Examinations: May 3rd - May 24th 2019G11 Course to Date exams May 24th-30th 2019

SimonWalker HighSchoolPrincipal

PSAT Exam: 10th October

The PSAT will be administered in the Lecture Hall this coming Wednesday, 10th October for grade 9, 10 and 11 students who have already registered and paid for the exam. The exam will begin at 7:40am and end at approximately 12:30pm. If your son or daughter is taking this exam, please help remind them to bring the following:

No.2 PencilsAcceptable calculator https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/taking-the-tests/test-day-checklist/approved-calculatorsBack up calculator and batteries Mailing address (can be in any country where you receive mail) Snack/water Light sweater

Scores will be made available to students in mid-December. If they do not already have one, I strongly encourage all students to create a College Board online account before December. There is a parent component to the account that also allows you to receive alerts and messages about score release dates and future exam registrations. Once scores are available, students/parents will be notified by email to log into their College Board account to view their report. Please see the link below to create an account with your child: https://cbaccount.collegeboard.org/iamweb/smartRegister?appId=292&DURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.college-board.org%2F

Please make sure they write down their account details (username and password) and keep this in a safe place. Paper score reports and original test booklet will be returned to students in early January, when we have returned from the school holiday.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We are wishing all the best for students sitting the exam this coming Wednesday!

AlliHostetter HighSchoolCounsellor

Muscat Primary Sports League (MPSL)

The first MPSL event for the year, Skittleball, was held this week hosted by The British School Muscat. We had 36 enthusiastic ABA students participating in this very exciting, busy and noisy tournament. For many of our students this was their first MPSL experience and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event. Skittleball involves skills such as throwing, aiming, dodging and teamwork. Our teams had been preparing for the last few weeks. Congratulations to all the students involved. They did ABA proud, demonstrating the attitudes of sportsmanship and fair play that we expect from all Vipers teams. Go Vipers!

NeilCookandRaewynJack

Message from the Extra Curricular Program

ABA Aquatics

TAISMvs.ABADualMeet

Forty-Six Vipers swim team members represented ABA at the recent dual meet held at TAISM on Monday, 24th September. It was the first meet of the year and many swimmers highlighted the event by posting personal best times! Great job, Vipers!!

ABA Vipers Fall Sprints Meet

The Vipers Sprints meet is scheduled for Friday, October 5th. In addition to 60+ registered Vipers swimmers the meet will include more than 140 swimmers from 3 local teams, TAISM, BSM and Nautilus. The action begins at 8:30am on Friday. Come and support your Vipers!

Water Safety Awareness in Physical Education

Grade 9 & 10 students continue to practice water safety awareness at the pool. The lessons include; use of safety equipment for reaching and throwing assists, survival swimming strokes, use of life jackets and clothing items as flotation devices, basic principles, hydrodynamics and buoyancy.

CharlieSemple-AquaticsDirector

Training

Due the upcoming ABA long weekend please note there will be no training or any games on Thursday 11th October for our Middle School Volleyball teams.

Volleyball Games for next week are listed below.

Dates for your diary

21st October: MESAC Travel meeting (Golf, Swimming, Academic Games and Varsity Volleyball) in the Secondary Lecture Hall, 5:30 - 6:00pm

21st October: MESAC meeting - Hosting for JV Volleyball in the HS Cafe, 6:00 - 6:30pm

30th October: Season one MESAC Achievement Awards in the MPH, 6:00 - 7:30pm

PaulBrace AthleticsDirector

7th October U16 Boys vs BSM @ ABA 3:15 - 4:15pm

8th October U 16 Boys Vs TSS @ ABA 3:45 - 4:45pm

8th October U13 Boys Vs TSS @ ABA 3:45 - 4:45pm

9th October U16 Boys vs Oman Club @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

9th October U19 Boys vs Oman Club @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

10th October U19 Girls vs TAISM @ TAISM 4:00 - 5:00pm

10th October U16 Girls vs TAISM @ TAISM 4:00 - 5:00pm

Message from PTA

Message from the Library

Scholastic and Baker Book Club

Kindly note that a leaflet for the "Scholastic" and "Baker Books" Book Club has been handed to students from K1 to grade 8. Browse through it together to see if your child would like to order any books. There are also many more titles available on the Book Club website. The directions on how to place your order online were sent in an email to you. Please email: libraries@abaoman.orgif you have any questions. Thank you for supporting our school and encouraging students’ reading for pleasure.

Note: The online order closes on October 18th, 2018. MaraHakim ElementaryLibrarian

Message from the Mother Language Program

Dear ABA community,

The Mother Language Program is still open for registration. Registration closes this Sunday, October 7th. Please visit our website for more information.http://abaoman.org/wp-site/mother-language-program/

We are looking for Urdu, Vietnamese and Italian language teachers. If you have previous teaching experience, or if you know someone who does, please send your resume to mlp@abaoman.org.

AlexisWilliamsandDianaELBizri MotherLanguageProgramCoordinators

Home Room Parent (HRP) Workshop

A big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers for their time and participation in the HRP workshop held on October the 2nd. It was amazing to meet over 40 HRPs who attended the workshop. It’s reassuring to see that the volunteering spirit is alive and well in the ABA community!

PTA Website

Check out all the new information available on the PTA website. Visit http://abaoman.org/wp-site/pta/

PTA Open Meeting Agenda Available Online: http://abaoman.org/wp-site/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PTA-Open-Meeting-Sep-17.pdf

PTA is Looking for Donations

Please deliver to the PTA kitchen.Slightly used board games and sets of cards appropriate for the secondary students. Decorations for any holiday celebration.

7Oct CPRpaymentDeadline

8Oct PTAOpenMeeting

22OctCPRcourse Part1

23OctCPRcourse Part2

1NovSpooktacular

2NovFleaMarket

Tuesday Talks & Travel (TTT)

Teacher & Staff PTA Fund Requests: Community Vote: 8th October, 2018

1. Artificial Grass Near Drama Court

Request from: Wayne Derrick, Elementary Assistant Principal Serves: all age groups. Cost: approx. 500 OMR Why? Safety in the playground... this could be a joint PTA/ Elementary Student Council project. This would make a huge difference for the students running and playing in this area. (especially football) .

2. Playground Toys for Elementary

Request from: Kids of Grade 1- Angela Langlands Serves: all elementary Cost: approx. 484 OMR

Why? We (Mark, Tahsin, Riley, Marwan, Alex, Sam, Yousaf, Hamza, Adam, and Zak) would like money for some toys. We want to get outside toys like: badminton, tennis rackets, a white board with markers, basketball with 2 nets, foot-balls, American footballs, skipping ropes, painted running ar-eas for tracks or climbing, and a parachute Grade 1s and 2s who play on the Drama Court. We also want to get a locking toy box to keep our toys safe. We would also love a few fans hanging from the ceilings to keep us cool when it's hot.

3. Board in the Library

Request from: Courtney Park, Secondary Librarian Serves: all secondary Cost: 500 OMR Why? A collection of board games, card games, etc. to be kept in the secondary library for students to use before and after school or during breaks. Teachers could also book to use them with classes in the library for special occasions or rewards.

4. Green Spaces in School

Request from: Ian White Serves: Entire Community Cost: 500 OMR

Why? This is to promote and encourage sustainable consumption and production in the school. It is intended for all the school community to access and be involved in. The idea is the garden space will be, in part, designed and maintained by the students. It will be connected to a eco-themed event in November and the hope is that everybody will have something to add to the garden. (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ISY_HOeKGEZ-K3ZFeVjznAEzdmhZTTgDujyT6C37J1fs/edit?usp=sharing)

Our aims from the project document:

- Promote sustainable consumption and production- Promote low water consumption- Curricula connections to animal and plant biology, ecosystems- Highlight the biodiversity of Oman- Wherever possible, engineered by students, staff and parents- Built from reused/ re-purposed materials- Promote connections to science, technology, engineering, art and math- Visible to, and accessed by, all the school community

This is also meant to be scalable and flexible. I imagine this is the beginning and hopefully this will grow into some-thing that is regularly accessed by the community for educational purposes.. and maybe for something to eat!

5. Misting Fans on the Playground Request from: Cassi Agee Serves: Elementary Cost: approx. 500 OMR Why? There has been so much recent research showing the endless benefits (physical, social emotional, academic) of children playing outside. With the heat in Oman the children are not getting this opportunity until the weather cools down. Misting fans will significantly lower the temperature.

Meet the Team!

The Booster Club committee has hit the ground running this year. Only 5 weeks in and we have held 5 x pop up shops, our first ‘Ice Frenzy’ fundraiser, and introduced NEW VIPERS merchandise including the student training shirt and parent support shirt! But there’s no slowing us down……keep your eye out for more exciting new merchandise later this month, along with our ‘Spike Strike Score’ on 18 October and our much anticipated MESAC JV Volleyball weekend 25-27 October. Don’t forget the MESAC Season 1 Awards Night on 30 October… Leading the way… your 2018/19 Booster Club Committee!!

Your PTA ‘Building Our Community Together’

Message from the Booster Club

Left to right: Michelle, Vanessa, Jinane, Gundi (Alumni Mum), Kathja, Reem, Ghida, Mele and missing Kami !

If you would like to be part of the Booster Club family and lend-a-hand, offer your skills, or would just like to know more about what the club is all about, simply drop us a line at boosterclub@abaoman.com. Booster Club is a great way to ‘support our kids’ while making new friends and having fun!

All monies raised through fundraising events and sale of VIPERS merchandise go to the VIPERS Booster Club. Come support our fundraising efforts at all Booster Club events so we can continue to ‘support our kids’!

Yoursincommunityspirit VIPERSBoosterClub