1. Al Yasmina School Primary Newsletter
14 February 2013
Issue 18
Have you Downloaded the D6 Communicator? 10 days to go!
This will be Al Yasmina’s main form of communication. Follow this link to download
this program on you PC. http://www.six-delta.com/schools/communicators.html
Dear Parents,
Dates for your Diary
Week 17-21 February - HALF TERM
Week 24 – 28 February - Class/Music and Sport team photos (please see schedule)
Sunday 24 February - School starts
Wednesday 27 February - Year 2 Click Exhibition from 5pm-6.30pm
Wednesday 27 February - Second Hand uniform sale
Thursday 28 February - Aldar Olympics
Thursday 28 February - Music Recital at 2.45pm
Tuesday 12 March - Parent Teacher Consultations
Wednesday 20 March - Spring Concert
International Day - Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Wow! What a fantastic day! A journey around the world and we never set foot outside the school!
Students were delighted, enthralled and amazed by the array of countries exhibiting at our 1st ever
International Showcase. With 33 countries represented by willing parent volunteers, children had the
opportunity to understand what each country felt, looked, smelt, sounded and tasted like.
Eager to collect stamps for their passports, the children took time to wander around the stalls, looking
at fabulous pictures, clothing and artifacts, sampling tasty food and drink, watching amazing
dances, listening to traditional music and participating in impromptu sing-alongs! The children also
made a super effort in dressing in clothes that represented their country or flag. They were very
proud to represent their country when the whole school took part in a truly international parade.
Thank you to all who organized and supported the event.
(Please view photos on the School Communicator).
Class/Sport team photos - Week 24-28 February
Please note that class and sport team photos will be taken the week 24 - 28 February. This will take
place in the Dance studio. Can we please ask that parents help children to remember their sport kits
for the day they are scheduled to be photographed. See attached schedule.
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2. Friends of Al Yasmina
FOY VEG
Thank you to everyone for supporting FOY Veg, it is proving to be very popular. We are aware there
have been a couple of problems to date, which are out of our control, however they are being
rectified and your patience is requested. Please remember there will be no deliveries next week due
to mid-term break and orders for March will be due the first week back ie. Thurs 28 February - keep an
eye on the School Communicator for further details.
Second Hand Uniform Sale
The next Second Hand Uniform Sale is on Wednesday 27 February from 1.00pm in the Atrium.
From the French Department
The Primary French department is looking for any unwanted French books. If you have any at home
and not using them, we would be very happy to make good use of them. You can drop them at the
reception, library or hand them in to any languages teachers.
Merci beaucoup - Mrs Cuven (Head of Primary French)
From the Music Department
Year 1 celebrated their “Jungle Day” with spectacular performances of Jungle songs. There was a
great turnout from the parents and the children really enjoyed performing a great variety of jungle
related songs. Congratulations to all of you.
Well done to this week‟s” Musicians of the Week”
Mahra Al Khouri (FS1 Blue) and
Lavinia Pollendine (Year 2 Spoonbills)
KS2 Jana Al Armouti
(Year 5 Mynahs)
Mahra Al Khouri who always sings so beautifully in class. She sings perfectly in tune with a beautiful
singing voice. Lavinia Pollendine performed for the entire class on her violin and played beautifully.
Jana Al Armouti who has performed a piece of music on the piano for the entire class. She played
very musically and tunefully.
Year 4 celebrated their “Roman Day” with a very fine performance of the song “Just Like A Roman”
for their teachers. Grace Lewis sang the solo part at the beginning of the song and she sang it
tunefully with great confidence. It was very evident from the enthusiasm of their performance, that
they really enjoyed singing it.
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3. Dates for your diary:
Thursday February 28th Monthly Recital – the brass group will be performing too!
Saturday March 9th ADMAF Young Musician‟s Concert
Wednesday March 20th Spring Concert
Wed/Thurs May 29th and 30th The Wiz!
For any information about primary music activities, please contact cknapton@alyasmina.sch.ae.
From the Arabic Department
Year 6 students made
treasure`s boxes as a
part of the role ply
activity based on the
groups looked for lost
treasure using the
treasure`s map
directions, Then they
wrote the first story
“the treasure island”,
and Three of them
were chosen as the
best writers.
Sport News
Year 3 – 4 House Athletics
The children in Year 3 and 4 at Al Yasmina took part in the annual house athletics competition today.
Looking bright and colourful in their house t-shirts the children gathered in their house pens ready for
the start of the much anticipated event. For 5 weeks now in PE the children have been preparing
and practicing their athletic skills ready for this big day!
The day got underway with field and track events for both years. The teachers and young leaders
helped to organise each of the events and encourage all of the children to do their best. Distances
were scored and measured, races were timed, each to find out who could win overall for their year
group! In assembly these children will be rewarded with a certificate of their achievement. Parents
supported and cheered from the side and provided some great motivation for the children. Some
even got involved in the action! opting to show off their own athletic ability in the parent race! their
prize, a cup of tea and a biscuit from FOY who kindly provided refreshments throughout the morning.
Foundation Stage 1 (FS1). Please go to School Communicator to view photos on the gallery.
Year 5 – 6 House Athletics
The final day of primary house sports saw the Year 5 and 6 children take to the track! It was a cool
morning and ideal weather for athletics. The teachers manned their events and the competition
began for who could win the House Athletics Competition for 2013! After some great races, huge
throws and even bigger jumps the children gathered to watch their parents and teachers compete
in the fun! I‟d like to say, somewhat more competitive than the children! It was a very successful
morning. Overall the winners were Endeavour, 2nd was Voyager, 3rd Discovery and 4th Challenger.
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4. Well done to everyone involved for their great team spirit and effort throughout the competition.
Individual winners will be awarded certificates of their achievement on Sunday after the break.
ALDAR Olympics Athletics Meet 2013:
On Thursday 28th February Al Yasmina will host the 2nd annual ALDAR Olympics,
aptly named due to its athletic nature! The competition involves all five ALDAR
Academies primary schools, Al Yasmina, Al Mushrif, Al Muna, The Pearl and Al Ain
International School. Each will come together to celebrate the successes of our
talented young athletes who will compete against each other in a variety of athletic events. Teams
are selected and invited to participate in the competition by their PE teachers who nominate them
due to their athletic ability shown in PE and house athletics. We look forward to the event and to the
Al Yasmina team defending the title they won at last year‟s competition!
Foundation Stage 1 (FS1)
This week in FS1 we have been exploring the
jungle. Our Jungle dress up day today was so
much fun, there were monkeys and tigers hiding
everywhere! Thank you to all the parents who
provided a treat for our Jungle snacks. We also
celebrated „International Day‟ this week, where
we got to wear the traditional dress from our
country or the colours from our countries flag.
Thank you to all of our helpers from secondary!
We hope you all have a wonderful break and come back with lots of energy for our very busy next
half term. Remember to keep practicing your name writing at home!
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Gil Hutcheson from Yellow Class, Ibrahim Haddad from
White Class, Sultan Abushahab from Gold Class, Alia Al
Braiki from Green Class, Mara Belle from Red Class and
Nicholas Loadman from Blue Class. Keep up the hard
work boys and girls!
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5. Foundation Stage 2 (FS2)
This week has been a real adventure in FS2! We have been learning about the Jungle and the
animals that live there. We have found out that the Jungle is home to lots of different types of animals
and plants and have really enjoyed learning all about them. We even went on a Jungle journey into
a secret rainforest! We had to make sure that we packed everything we might need into our
backpacks. We knew that things like a raincoat, shelter, food, water and mosquito spray would be
really important to keep up safe and healthy. We also took a camera and binoculars to make sure
we could see all the wild life. During our adventure we had to climb over logs, through vines, across a
crocodile infested river and through a secret tunnel! We have also learnt how important it is to try
and save the worlds rainforests so that these animals don‟t lose their home.
In Numeracy this week we have been learning different ways that numbers can be represented,
such as in tallies, sets and arrays. We have done a great job collecting information to show as a tally!
Next week is half term, so enjoy the holiday! To help your children over the break, please continue to
practice the word walls, do some extra reading and play a few simple addition games with your
child.
www.starfall.co.uk
The next topic will be „Tell me a story‟. We will be looking at a different book each week, all written by
Colin McNaughton. We will have lots of activities planned, all linked to story reading and writing!
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Chloe Nasr – Purple class, Hamad Dhabbahi – Orange class, Hamdan Al Romaithi – Ruby class, Sam
Farrugia - Jade class and Osha Fakhroo – Amber class)
Year 1
Wow!!! What a fabulous half term of learning we have had in Year One. As our Jungle topic comes to
an end we have been looking back and celebrating all of our learning. We would like to say a
massive thank you to all the children and their parents for supporting our jungle project homework.
Each project is AMAZING and beautifully put together.
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6. The children spoke confidently and independently in front of their whole class describing their own
project and how they made it. Some children gave PowerPoint presentations, some sang their own
songs, and others made jungle movies and much more. What a super creative bunch you are. WELL
DONE! Here are just a few.
Our school trip to Emirates Zoo this week was a great way to end our topic; it was a busy but fun day
for all the adults and children. I even think some of the teachers wanted to take the white tigers
home! Not only did it help us see some of the animals we learnt about during our topic but also led us
into our new topic for next term „Growing‟. We got to plant our own carrot seeds which will take 3
months to grow. Remember your special growing number and maybe you could go back and visit in
a few months and let us know how the carrots are growing.
The children will have no homework or spellings during the half term holidays but we do ask that you
continue to read with your child, this can be newspapers, magazines, road signs if you‟re travelling or
your favourite book.
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Huge congratulations to last week‟s stars, how proud we are about their fabulous achievements. Well
done to Lana O'Donnell in Sparrows class, Leith Qadan in Doves class, Nina Mohni in Robins class,
Emma Burke in Larks class and William Whitcher in Cuckoos class.
The Year 1 team would like to thank you for your continued support this term and look forward to
starting our new topic after the half term holidays.
Have a restful and enjoyable break.
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7. Year 2
This week in Year 2 Literacy, we have been learning about „persuasive language‟ and creating our
own advertisements for landmarks around Abu Dhabi.
In Maths, we have been investigating Mass and enjoyed weighing and estimating the weight of
many different articles. We have also been thinking about what we have learned so far this year.
On Wednesday we celebrated a wonderful International Day! We paraded around in our continents
and learnt about each other‟s countries and cultures.
The week after half term we‟ll be completing our Click Topic. This will culminate in The Click Exhibition
to be held at the school on Wednesday, 27th February. Please see yesterday‟s mailshot and the
School Communicator for further details.
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Storks: Arantza Sanchez Alvarez, Herons: Yasmina Rushaidat,
Sandpipers: Syed Muhammad Hussaini, Spoonbills: Amarjot
Notay, Flamingoes: Chris Nasr
Year 3
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8. We had an absolute blast at our „Aussie Campout‟! The children were exhausted after a full day of
swimming, sports, athletics, BBQs, bush dancing, bush safari, art, movies… the list goes on and on! I‟m
sure every child in Year 3 would say they had an unforgettable experience – even the teachers
enjoyed themselves! Check out our photos to see us in action. Thank you so much to all of our
parent helpers. We could not have done it without you.
We hope you all have a relaxing holiday next week. Please remember to keep collecting old trash,
clothes, materials, newspapers and water bottles as we start our Trash to Treasure topic after the
break. If you could send in anything you have already collected we would be very grateful.
If your child needs some mental stimulation during the holiday here are some fun educational
websites:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/
http://www.ictgames.com/
www.spellingcity.com
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Khaled Samarah – Curlews, Tanuli Wickramarchchi –
Cormorants, Zayed Al Khaili – Ravens, George Worth –
Buntings, Lily Den Hertog - Terns
Year 4
What an amazing week we have had in Year 4, quite possibly the best week
ever! Sports Day, International Day, Roman Day... the list goes on!
Thank you to all the parents that came and supported the students on Sports
Day. It was a fantastic day and not only did we see some outstanding
running, jumping and throwing, i think we have some future champions in
our midst, but also some great sportsmanship! Congratulations to Challenger
for winning the Year 4 section and to Challenger for winning overall.
International Day was a great day! It was wonderful to see everyone
dressed up representing their home country. We enjoyed parading around
the playing field and listening to all the different national anthems in our
classroom. Lessons all had an international theme. We were challenged to
label as many countries as we could on a world map, played flag Guess
Who, looked at national dishes and designed a national dress for our home
country.
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9. As well as all the excitement of special days this week, the Year 4 students have been working hard in
the classroom. In Science we have been learning about switches and how they work. Using our
knowledge of circuits, conductors and insulators, we designed and made our own „burglar alarm‟
switch. If you need a new security system installed in your house, then see a Year 4 student!
In Literacy this week we have been experimenting writing some exciting sentences. We are now
experts in using 3_ed sentences, 2A sentences, 2 pairs sentences and emotion comma sentences. In
Maths we have been revising units of measurement, in particular
length and capacity. The students enjoyed making estimating and
then making accurate measurements of different objects.
We have been getting creative in Social Studies this week. We have
been focusing on UAE forts this half term, learning about the features
of a fort and reasons why they were built in certain locations. Using this
knowledge, we have designed and made our very own model of a
UAE fort out of junk!
We hope you all have a lovely half term break. We are looking forward
to all the excitement of the Hatta trip next half term. We cannot wait!
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Kara Alphonso (Sandgrouse),
Katie Raisbeck (Warblers),
Luna Gulec (Wagtails),
Daniel Cooper-Okanome (Pipits)
William Burke (Wheatears),
Year 5
Wow! What a fun packed week it has been in Year 5! As I am sure you have already heard from the
children, whether on the Dibba Residential or enjoying their Chinese Cultural festivities in school, have
had the best time learning through taking part in lots of exciting different experiences and
challenges. On Sunday 10th February, 100 very excited children and 6 equally excited members of
Y.5 staff, settled onto their 3 buses to set off to Dibba for 3 days of fun and adventure. Great stuff
indeed… but what of those of us left behind? What did we get up all alone in Year 5?
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10. For the children who did not attend Dibba they have been immersed in a variety of different Chinese
Cultural Activities: Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Cookery and Chinese Painting. The children
thoroughly enjoyed these activities and were given a unique opportunity to learn about the different
aspects of Chinese culture. Here are some photos to give you a glimpse of what they got up to!
In addition, the children during their
specialist lessons, either continued the
Chinese theme or took part in team
building activities. It is hard being left
behind whilst the others go on a
residential trip, but we definitely made
the most of it! The rest of the Year 5 had
an amazing time at Dibba, the children
were full of enthusiasm and are to be
commended on their good behaviour.
We were kept very busy with lots of
exciting activities such as abseiling, climbing, mountain biking and manoeuvring our way around an
obstacle course. We took part in orienteering using digital GPS trackers and showed our precision
and accuracy during Archery. We also got to visit Al Bidya Mosque, which was built in 1446 and is the
oldest worship place in the UAE. The teachers were also very impressed by the level of talent
displayed at the Monday night talent show – „U.A.E‟s Got Talent‟ here we come! Well done to our
talent show winners Iman Mohd Husni and Aidan Ball who sang a cappella to their favourite song!
We also then had the fantastic International Day wherein everyone took great pride in representing
their respective nationalities. We had an opportunity to visit the amazing stalls set out by parents and
were allowed to use our senses to learn about all the different nationalities we have at Al Yasmina!
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11. Finally to end this busy week, we finished off with our Sports Day which was an excellent event to end
the week and half term with. The children were thoroughly excited and enjoyed every minute of it!
Well done to the winning team! (Please view some photos on the School Communicator).
We have had so many Stars of the Week during this eventful week that all the teachers in Year 5 feel
that all the children were Stars of the Week, well done Year 5, let‟s keep this attitude going into next
term!
Year 6
It has been an exciting week in Year 6 with the arrival of our “Freaks of Nature” projects. This week we
have seen the likes of cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. The students have worked
very hard on this term‟s topic; Natural Disasters and it was evident in the final outcome of their
projects. And all the teachers are extremely proud of the children.
Tsunami Volcano
In literacy the students have spent the week looking at how to approach the reading Sats paper. In
set groups they have answered past sats papers and analyzed what is necessary for the higher
marked questions. The children have all excelled in their understanding of inference deduction and
analysis.
Science was a time of assess and review. The children had to use their understanding about filtering
and dissolving and apply this to a problem. The students have gained much insight from this topic
through intense discussions and hands on experiences and experiments.
In numeracy we have looked at problem solving. The children were encouraged to use the Rucsac
method of approach – R=read, U=understand C=choose S=solve A=answer and C= check.
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week
Saif Al Suwaidi , Ahmed Al Belooshi, Bruce Donald, Kyle
Stott-Briggs, Glen Davidson, Harriet Juby, Trinidad Carrasco
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