AL NOOR-ABA NEWS 28th September 2017

Message from the Board of Directors We are happy to share with the community the Strategic Intent 2017 - 2022 that will guide the school in the next 5 years. This was approved by the Board in the last board meeting.

• To provide our students with a premium IB curriculum in the Sultanate of Oman

• To create a sense of community to the 67 nationalities we currently serve

• To offer a curriculum that enables the students to be life-long learners

• To equip students the latest skills and technologies to meet a rapidly changing world

• To maintain a positive, motivated and safe environment for all its stakeholders • To ensure long term sustainability of ABA and its reputation as not-for-profit school

This intent is in line with the Vision, Mission and Values of the School and will guide the Superintendent’s plans over the next 5 years.

We would like to thank the various stakeholders who participated in arriving at this plan, namely the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Superintendent, feedback from various stakeholders through surveys, school results and the Board Members.

I am sure this will give ABA a clarity of direction in the coming years.

On Behalf of the Board, Ivor Braganza, Board Chair

Superintendent’s Message

Dear Parents, ABA is celebrating its anniversary today. It was 30 years ago that the founding stone of the American British Academy was laid among the sand dunes and desert scrub of Muscat. Ronald Reagan was the US President and Margaret Thatcher was the UK Prime Minister at the time when a group of expatriate parents got together to bring a dream to reality. Thanks to the hard work of a few and later many more, the project unfolded. Fortunately, we do not need to imagine how all this could have happened as a movie was taken that shows the journey from a thought to a school. Thanks to the technical skills of JP, this movie has now been captured digitally and forms part of his wonderful film telling the story of ABA from its inception to the present day. The first showing of this film will be at the PTA 30th celebration this afternoon. JP really has created something special so I do hope you will be able to come along and see the production and enjoy the celebration.

Simon Taylor - Superintendent

Upcoming Dates 2 Oct Booster Club Pop-Up

Shop Outside ECE 7:00-7:30am 3 – 4 Oct International School

Assessment (ISA) Grade 3-9

In Class

Message from the Elementary School Principal

Elementary Early Steps Conferences

• Monday 9th October 2017 2.30-4.00pm • Tuesday 10th October 2017 7.30-3.30pm (no school for students) • Wednesday 11th October 2017 2.30-4.00pm

You will soon be receiving some information and an invitation to sign up for an early steps conference with your child’s teacher. These conferences are an invaluable opportunity for you and your child(ren) to meet together with the teacher to share and celebrate progress so far, and discuss hopes and goals for the year. For Grades 1-5 this is a three-way conference in which students have an essential role to play. Your child has an active and meaningful opportunity to review and reflect on their learning during the goal-setting conferences. They focus on communicating their achievements and reflecting on their actions. We actively model our ABA Mission Statement and PYP philosophy by asking students to discuss and reflect on their progress. For students in EC, the conference is between parents and teachers only. Please note that appointment times for K2 students are slightly different, with an earlier finish. You will receive an appointment sign-up form directly from your child(ren)’s teacher by email on Sunday, and will have until Wednesday to select appointment times. For families with more than one child, we encourage you to sign up on Tuesday 10th October, when there is more availability of appointments. If you wish to talk to specialist teachers with your child(ren), you may email them directly to set up an appointment on one of the conference days. Please note there are no After School Activities on Conference days. International Schools Assessments (ISA) Next Tuesday and Wednesday, students in Grades 3-5 (along with students in Middle and High School) will be participating in the ISAs. These international assessments are designed to provide schools with data about student progress that is normed on international standards. Students participate in assessments of their reading literacy, mathematical literacy and writing, by answering multiple choice questions and open-ended tasks. The assessments are held in students’ classrooms so that they are in a comfortable and familiar environment. We stress that these are not ‘examinations’, but rather assessments (much like those children experience as part of their regular learning) that will give teachers and parents information about each student’s strengths and areas for development. If you are wondering how to help your child to prepare for these assessments, the best advice is to ensure that your child does not feel anxious or concerned, and make sure they have enough sleep, a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water on the days of the test. Most of all, encourage them to relax and do their best! For more information about the ISAs, please read this explanatory letter, a copy of which you will have received by email.

Sam Cook

Message from the Middle School

Improving Academic and Social Outcomes for Middle School Students at ABA.

We are incorporating different techniques to improve academic achievement in the middle school. One method to achieve this is for students to attend group sessions to work on specific aspects of their lives that may be inhibiting learning.

Topics for October-December are:

• Social Skills and Friendships • Improving Concentration and Impulse Control • Issues with Growing Up-Girls Group and Boys Group (mood swings; emotions; self-esteem etc)

If you feel that your middle school child would benefit from attending break-time meetings (in small groups), please complete the link in the email you have received from me today. Following this, times and dates will be set and you will be emailed with details. You only need to complete and submit the online form if you feel your child will benefit from participating in one or more of the programmes.

In the coming months, other topics will be offered which may pertain to your middle school child. Information on this will be given as the academic year progresses.

Claire Anthony – Middle School Counselor

Message from the Tanzania Team

The Tanzania Club will be selling jewellery and bags made by women in Tanzania at the ABA birthday celebrations on Thursday. Don't miss this chance to buy beautiful gifts. The Tanzania Team

Message from the Extra Curricular Program After School Activities (ASAs)

There will be no Elementary ASAs on Monday 9th October and Wednesday 11th October due to the Elementary Goal Setting Conferences.

Muscat Primary Sports League (MSPL)

The first MPSL event was held this week at Royal Flight. We had a group of grade 2 girls participate in the U9 Football Clinic. The focus of this event was to work on the fundamental skills involved in football such as passing, dribbling, shooting and goal keeping. The girls also had an opportunity to play a game with the other Muscat international schools.

Raewyn Jack

BIG week coming up - Come and support our teams

1st October U16 Boys vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

1st October U16 Girls vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

1st October U19 Boys vs TSS @ TSS 3:45 - 4:45pm

2nd October U14 Boys vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

2nd October U14 Girls vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

3rd October U19 Boys vs BSM @ BSM 4:15 - 5:15pm

3rd October U19 Girls vs BSM @ BSM 4:15 - 5:15pm

4th October U19 Boys vs TAISM @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

4th October U19 Girls vs TAISM @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

Message from the After-School Mother Language Program We have had a wonderful week of Arabic, French and German classes. We are still working towards finding Spanish, Italian and Hindi teachers. Please spread the word! We are hoping to have new classes running soon. We will keep you all updated as we find more teachers and set up more classes. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Diana El-Bizri and Alexis Williams - The Mother Language Program Coordinators

Message from the PTA

Your PTA

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

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

5th October U12 Boys vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

5th October U12 Girls vs BSM @ ABA 3:30 - 4:30pm

5th October U13 Boys vs TAISM @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

5th October U13 Girls vs TAISM @ ABA 4:15 - 5:15pm

6th October ABA Vipers Fall Invitational Swim Meet

Warm Up 7:15 - 8:15am

Meet Starts: 8:30am

Paul Brace – Athletics Director

Messages for the Community

1 for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready, 4 to GO!! MONTHLY POP-UP SHOP… our next Pop-Up Shop is MON 02 OCT! NEW SPORTS BAGS HAVE ARRIVED… VIPERS sports bags direct from the UK are now available to purchase. Come see the friendly Booster Club team to purchase your official VIPERS merchandise. (see flyer) SPIKE STRIKE SCORE… RESCHEDULED for THURSDAY 12 OCTBER. Due to

the public holiday, we have rescheduled this fun event! Students from Grades 2-12, can try their skills at spiking the ball through the VIPERS board for a chance to win VOX Movie tickets. Tickets available at the DOOR on the DAY! GOLF CHALLENGE… join us for our inaugural VIPERS Booster Club Golf Challenge on Friday 17 November at PDO Golf Club. (See flyer attached). An additional email will be sent directly!

MESAC TRAVEL POLO… for Season 1 will be available to purchase on Sun 08 & Mon 09 Oct from 2.15-2.45pm & Mon 16 & Tues 17 Oct from 2.15-2.45. If your child has been selected to compete or travel in October / November to represent ABA VIPERS they can come to the VIPERS Store (located downstairs to the left of the entrance to MPH) on the above dates and times to purchase their travel polo (OMR15).

If you would like to know more about the Booster Club, send us an email and we will contact you directly. Booster Club is a great way to ‘support our kids’ while making new friends and having fun.

Yours in community spirit – VIPERS Booster Club