Have a wonderful weekend ,
Mr Wedge / Ms Sophie
The Dragon's Digest |
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Thank you to the parents who attended this week’s Elementary Literacy Coffee Morning. We presented GWA’s Literacy program and gave suggestions for activities at home. Parents who attended also gave some valuable and positive feedback to be shared with staff. Attached/below is information and activities to use at home which will promote and encourage language development and literacy skills.
Have a wonderful weekend , Mr Wedge / Ms Sophie Our Canteen Provider Slices invites you for a survey. They would like your feedback to constantly improve their supplies and provide you with the best possible service.
Click here to start the survey or Scan the QR code Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th saw Grades 3-5 apply their times table knowledge, skills and understanding against other GEMS schools in the region in a ‘friendly’ online competition. Every correct answer entered on the Times Table Rockstars (TTRS) website or app counted towards building the individual scores, class scores and overall school points score. Students answered multiplication and division questions, playing in class on i-pads during their maths lessons and throughout the day for short bursts of time to rack the points up. Buoyed by successes in class, the students were keen to practise at home each afternoon and evening.
GWA had the highest average per user score throughout the two days of play and had the 4th highest school score overall. A remarkable achievement! Congratulations to the three highest scoring ‘bands’ or classes at GWA: 1st place 5D 2nd place 5C 3rd place 3C Well done also to the three highest scoring pupils at GWA: 1st Jack Gold (12th overall) 2nd Liam Tjin Wong Joe 3rd Terek Abu Ghali Well done to everyone who took part in this event. Over the previous week our Grade 2 students have been visiting The Hub to learn more about the environment through our hydroponics.
The students are currently learning about "Sharing the Planet", focusing their inquiry on how changes in the environment can cause various types of organisms to adapt. At GWA, we make continued effort to take student learning outside of the classroom, giving students the opportunity for practical hands on learning. Students across the PYP have been doing some great inquiry learning in the Maker Space. Grade one have been able to demonstrate their mathematical vocabulary and make a model to represent fractions. Some students also had the opportunity to help place seedlings in a new outdoor hydroponics unit. Grade two have been learning about plant lifecycles and what they need to live, both in the outdoor garden and with the hydroponic units in The Hubb. They have also been working alongside the counselor to build a model of the brain, and recognize how emotions impact our behaviors. Happy Thursday!
The Elementary School Counselors continue to support the personal, social and emotional well-being of students. Our holistic approach to student and teacher engagement ensures that the delivery of our Personal Social Emotional curriculum, a fundamental component of the IB Primary Years Program, is integrated into every classroom throughout each Unit of Inquiry. Each of our counselors enjoy this time to build relationships with students and peer groups in order to take a proactive approach to understanding the diverse needs of our students. The International Baccalaureate Organization states that social emotional learning “promotes the development of more positive emotional environments that contribute to a more holistic development of students through improved behavior and academic achievement”. We have and continue to deliver meaningful, informative and interactive PSE lessons in every grade level classroom this year. At the beginning of each Unit of Inquiry, our PSE lesson integration is shared on the curriculum calendar. In PreK and KG1 this academic year, the focus on our PSE lessons continues to enhance our listening, sharing and conflict resolution skills. We are learning to understand and identify feelings and emotions and nurture empathy and kindness. We are learning to identify when our actions have impacted others and reflect on experiences in order to build a deeper understanding of self. In Grade KG2 this academic year, the focus on our PSE lessons has been to learn how emotions, attitudes and beliefs influence our behavior. Students practice the importance of nurturing the development of kindness and empathy and are understanding that relationships with others contribute to our well-being. In Grade 1 this academic year, the focus on our PSE lessons has been developing independence and self-worth; understanding emotional regulation and conflict resolution; appreciating peer inclusion and diversity; identifying emotions, feelings and perspectives and strategies that help cope with change. In Grade 2 this academic year, the focus of our PSE lessons has been mindfulness and calming strategies to resolve conflict; kindness and empathy and verbal and non-verbal communication strategies. In the weeks to come, students will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about the brain and its connection to emotions and student transitions (RAFT). In Grade 3 this academic year, the focus of our PSE lessons has been kindness and empathy; managing change; learning strategies to manage conflict escalation and de-escalation; hands-on exploration of the brain and its connection to emotions and managing friendships through ‘Friendship First-Aid’. In the weeks to come, PSE lessons will cover Digital Citizenship and student transitions (RAFT). In Grade 4 this academic year, the focus of our PSE lessons has been growth mindset; the impact of perspective and perception in managing relationships; approaching relationships using empathy; understanding and developing self-esteem. In the weeks to come, students will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about the brain and its connection to their emotions; Digital Citizenship and student transitions (RAFT). In Grade 5 this academic year, the focus of our PSE lessons has been understanding forms of non-verbal communication and the importance of understanding body language; respecting our bodies as we develop and grow (Puberty Talk) and our responsibilities as a digital citizen inside and outside of school. In weeks to come, students will enhance their strengths and collaboration skills through the PYP Exhibition and student transitions (RAFT). We wish you a wonderful weekend! Kim, Salima and Edele This week some Gd.2 students have been making inquiries into hydroponics as part of their UOI. They have also been looking at the lifecycle of plants and the function of the different parts of the plant.
We currently have three vertical hydroponics units in The Hub and next week some students will be involved the helping set up two large outdoor hydroponics units which are situated in the outdoor garden, located off the learning commons. Building Resilience The Elementary Counselors hosted a morning session yesterday on the topic of Building Resilience. The process of building resilience in a continuous journey where we, as parents and adults, can use many opportunities throughout the day to instill these habits and conversations with our children. Reminding ourselves of the importance of caring relationships within our community, using optimism after acknowledging our feelings during a frustrating situation, and including participation and responsibility in daily tasks are some examples of the opportunities we can use on the path to build resilience. Attached are the resources, film and discussion lead by our counseling team at this week’s discussion. The ES Counseling Team Kimberly Sharpe M.A; M.Ed. Middle School Counselor Grades 5, 6, 7 |
Please be sure to look through our Lost and Found located near the entrance to our school cafeteria. Thank you.
If your child is late to school, please visit the Elementary Office upon your arrival to school and obtain a late pass from the office.
CLICK ON THE FOLDER icon below to download the forms you need to apply for student absence leave, reporting absence/sickness, using ID cards and more. Is your child sick? Click on the icon to directly email the Elementary Office.
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