1. AL YASMINA ABU DHABI Connect issue 1
SCHOOL Bloom MARCH 2012
Grow
Learn
Nurture
Play
THE SECONDARY
PARTNERSHIP
AL YASMINA SCHOOL STRIVES TO BE AN
OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
SCHOOL, MAXIMISING THE LEARNING
POTENTIAL OF ALL

2. WELCOME
Welcome to the first issue of The Secondary department. It also gives Al Yasmina School the chance
PARTNERSHIP, the official newsletter of the secondary to celebrate progress and achievement and provide more
department at Al Yasmina School. in depth information to parents on subjects ranging from
the curriculum to making the right GCSE choices.
It will be emailed to parents on the first day of every We welcome your feedback.
month. The Secondary PARTNERSHIP keeps you up-
to-date with student activities across the secondary Please contact us at communications@alyasmina.sch.ae
CONTENTS
WELCOME FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL, MR GALE 3
WEST SIDE STORY: AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS 4
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE POST-16 PROCESS 6
MAKING SUBJECT SELECTIONS FOR YEAR 11 7
BRASS PLAYERS BLAST THROUGH EXAMS 8
MATHS CHAMPIONS 8
WORLD CHALLENGE FUNDRAISING UNDERWAY 9
YEAR 10 STUDENTS HEADING OUT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE 9
GCSE: WHAT'S INVOLVED IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUBJECTS 10
MATHS CHALLENGE 10
SNIPPETS - A QUICK LOOK AT TRIPS, TALKS AND CAMEL CAMPAIGNS 11
SCHOOL TRIPS AID CLASSROOM LEARNING 13
CELEBRATING SUCCESS WITH STUDENTS OF THE MONTH 14
The Secondary PARTNERSHIP
Topics, trends, updates, views and news from the Al Yasmina Secondary Department
SINGING STARS: Pictured on the cover are Tommy Wouters (left), Hassan Al Asmawi, Wynona Bautista and Rebecca Schonberg, who appeared in the recent secondary
drama production West Side Story. For more photos, turn to page 4 and 5. 2

3. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
FROM THE HEAD
OF SCHOOL
“Situations change from
time to time. A friend
may become an enemy
and an enemy a friend.
Life is inconsistent and
ever changing.”
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
WINNER: Head of School Mr Gale with the winner of the newsletter competition,
Patrick Gaunt.
What began as a quick Google search for a quote about change Yasmina. But it will be well planned and executed and to the
took me through a maze of websites, each brimming with benefit of all. So meanwhile, the show must go on, and that is
clever citations about the role of change in our lives. I began the perfect theme for the first issue of our new-look secondary
with Charles Darwin: “ It is not the strongest of the species that newsletter, which features a story on the secondary drama club
survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that production, West Side Story. It was a spectacular performance
is the most adaptable to change.” and we should all celebrate its success. Next month we will
focus on Arabic and Islamic studies. Every student in the
Interesting. The next quote to catch my eye was by an Arnold secondary department will recognise the significance of the
Bennett, an English novelist who died in 1931. He very wisely name of the newsletter, The Secondary PARTNERSHIP.
said “Any change, even a change for the better, is always
accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” A few more web Congratulations to Patrick Gaunt who won the competition
pages later and I found a quote from an American businessman to come up with a winning name. He wins dhs200. I thought
called Nido Qubein, who said “Change brings opportunity.” I’d finish with one more quote, this time from Alan Watts, an
American comedian Billy Crystal had this to offer: “Change is English philosopher. “The only way to make sense out of change
such hard work.” I would have to agree. is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” But I
thought there might be something more, and lured into more
Al Yasmina School has been through a great deal of change in screen time, I found it. And it could not have been more fitting.
the last few weeks with the departure of Principal Mr Malone.
Mr Malone has left big shoes for me to fill. He stood ably at “Situations change from time to time. A friend may become
the helm of the school and under his leadership Al Yasmina an enemy and an enemy a friend. Life is inconsistent and ever
has grown to become a school of choice in Abu Dhabi. It no changing.”
longer bears the label of a ‘new school’ but is now a developing Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
school, offering layers and depth. Great foundations have been
built and now it is my responsibility to ensure we continue to
grow, to develop and most of all to make sure we continue to
aim for outstanding. Our plans to farewell Mr Malone are well
underway. Post-16 students, most of whom have been at the
school for as long as Mr Malone, are coordinating the secondary
effort. A collection has been launched and donations will be
accepted until March 21.
In some ways I have the easiest job in the world. Each day I
am amazed at the achievements of our students and we have
an active and engaged parent community. New leadership
inevitably means change, and this will be the case at Al
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4. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
WEST SIDE STORY PUTS AL
YASMINA DRAMA STUDENTS
ON THE CITY STAGE
STAGE PRESENCE: Cast of the secondary drama club production of West Side Story.
Deciding which two students would play the lead female role in a CNN reporter the beginning and end of the production. Quotes
West Side Story was a difficult decision for the play’s producer, from the Shakespearean play were used throughout. Some of
drama teacher Mrs Hetherington - so she choose both. the darker scenes in the original musical were replaced with
lighting and still images which created an atmosphere of tension.
Jess Vickery, in Year 12 and Rebecca Schonberg, who is in Year Publicity in the Abu Dhabi Week magazine ahead of opening night
11, both performed as Maria in the musical, with each student helped attract an audience from throughout the wider Abu Dhabi
appearing twice over four nights. “They are both talented in community, Mrs Hetherington said.
different ways so I wanted to provide the opportunity for both of
them to play Maria,” Mrs Hetherington says. “Maria is a complex The production was filmed by the Abu Dhabi branch of the
vocal role and by choosing two singers it also ensured there New York Film Academy who will make CDs of the production
was no vocal straining for either performer.” West Side Story is available for sale for 30 dhs from the drama department in the
the second production for the drama department, and its first next couple of weeks. Farris Al Ali, who played Bernardo, has
full musical. The show featured around 40 performers from the been approached by the academy to help with the technical side
secondary school and explores the rivalry between two teenage of editing the recording made on the night. Tommy Wouters,
street gangs. Live music was provided by the school’s music and who played Riff, the leader of the Hoods gang, has been asked
peripatetic teachers. to audition for a film produced by the academy.”This musical has
definitely put us on the map,” Mrs Hetherington says. “Drama is
To add a modern twist to the story, the names of the gangs was about breaking the mould and challenging ourselves and that’s
changed from Jets and Sharks to the Hoods and the Slicks, the what we achieved in this production.”
latter an “emo” gang. Parallels were drawn throughout the
production to Romeo and Juliet. It also followed the example set
in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film of Romeo and Juliet, which featured
4

5. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
WEST SIDE STORY LEAVES FOND MEMORIES
The curtain has just fallen on the musical West Side Story but they enjoyed the experience of working together, meeting
already the students who took the lead roles can’t wait for the new people and say they have formed a close friendship as
next production. a result. After living and breathing the play for so long they
all joke that lines from the script have become part of their
Tommy Wouters (Riff), Hassan Al Asmawi (Tony), Wynona everyday conversation. “The performance was a bit rough in
Bautista (Anita), Jessica Vickery, (Maria) and Rebecca the early days but we worked hard and pulled off an amazing
Schonberg (also Maria) say the experience was stressful and performance,” Tommy says. “We are a good team.”
challenging - but they can’t wait to do it all again. They all say
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6. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
RIGOROUS PROCESS TO HELP STUDENTS
CHOOSE SUBJECTS FOR YEAR 12
A LEVEL ACTION: Post-16 Learning and Progress Leader Mr Ridpath
Year 11 students have made their subject choices for next year, Ridpath says. “Another student may be completely unsure of a
emerging from a comprehensive process that matches students career path and would need guidance about which subjects to
to subjects and helps them begin to plan their future careers. The take that match their strengths and areas of interest.” Once the
highly individualised programme will be completed next month information is collated, Curriculum Team Leaders do a final check
when the 42 students receive letters offering them places in of choices before the curriculum timetable is produced by the
courses in the Post-16 programme next academic year. Post -16 Learning and Progress Leader (Curriculum), Mr Commons.
Learning and Progress Leader Mr Ridpath says the process of
selecting Year 12 subjects began last September when Learning
A levels explained
Mentors discussed options with students. GCSE mock exam
scores were used to work out average point scores, help build a
student’s ability profile and calculate performance levels. This
helped the school assess the appropriate pathway for each Students study for their A levels in Years 12 and 13. At Al
student. Yasmina School, these Year groups are referred to as ‘Post-
16.” They begin their AS (advanced subsidiary) qualification
The next step was a Post 16 options evening in January which in Year 12 and move onto A2 (advanced) in Year 13. Each part
gave students an opportunity to find out about available subjects makes up 50 per cent of the overall A level grade. There are
in more depth. “This was done in a very relaxed environment in three pathways: traditional, hybrid or vocational aimed at
the school atrium,” Mr Ridpath says. “All teachers were present three university levels: elite, the Russell Group (comprising
and each department had a notice board, displaying information 20 leading UK universities) and vocationally focused
on what GCSE grades a student would need in order to study universities. Subjects can be taken at an academic or BTEC
a particular subject, detailing career opportunities and the (Business and Technology Education Council) level. BTEC is
universities they could attend.” a vocational qualification. The number of subjects chosen
depends on GCSE marks. The UK standard entry level
Staff were on hand to explain in detail what was involved in each requirements are:
subject. The final step in the process was an interview with Mr
Ridpath, which the student attended on their own or with their • Five A* - C grades in GCSE subjects, including maths
parents. These interviews varied hugely, depending on the and English: three subjects.
student. One student may have already made their subject choices
and knew the field in which they planned to study. Discussions • Seven A* - B grades in GCSE subjects, including maths
would therefore centre on looking at specific universities and and English: four subjects.
focusing on what grades would be required for admittance, Mr
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7. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
GOOD ADVICE: Mr Ridpath with students Shahmir Khan (left), Priyanka Iyer, Gemma Haefele and Rameez Ansari.
STUDENTS MAKE POST-16 CHOICES
For Shahmir Khan, deciding what subjects to do in Year 11 was maths. “It was a tough decision in the beginning but my parents
proving problematic. came along to the meeting with Mr Ridpath and we discussed
career decisions and the path that I should take. I don’t have a
Rather than being limited to a few areas of interest, the career choice as yet as it’s confusing and hard for me to find out
16-year-old had a long list of possible career directions. “The what I want to do. But I have made sure my options for A levels
problem is I am interested in so many things,” he says. “I’m are pretty broad so I can go anywhere I want and can get an
keen on journalism and have had two articles published in UAE MBA or perhaps look at engineering as well.” Making a career
magazines, I’m into photography and like film and media but I choice was not a problem for Gemma Haefele and Priyanka
also like the sound of law. Before the options evening I wasn’t Iyer, both of whom want to work in the medical field. Because
sure about anything, but when we got to talk to the subject both have decided on their career path, they elected to see Mr
teachers and listen to what their subject was about and looked Ridpath without their parents present. “I knew which options I
at the specifications about what I was going to learn things needed to take to become a doctor but I wasn’t sure about the
became a lot clearer.” fourth,” Priyanka says. “The process helped me decide that
history would be my fourth subject.” She says she benefitted
His focus sharpened further after his interview with Mr Ridpath, hugely from talking to Mr Ridpath about the importance of
which he attended with his parents. “He told me to do what extracurricular activities, the university interview, how to
I enjoyed doing the most and in areas where I wouldn’t get differentiate herself from other students, work experience and
bored. We looked at university choices and what careers I could which universities she could attend.
consider if I pursued some of these different subjects. We
talked a lot about university, about which one I should aim for Nailing the fourth subject was also a challenge for Gemma,
and about what grades I would need at A level.” Shahmir has who has opted for biology, chemistry, psychology and English
decided that law could be a possible career, but has opted to literature. “The options evening was great, because I got to talk
keep his options open by studying maths, history, business and to the teachers about the coursework. There was no pressure
economics and English literature. from any of them to take certain subjects and you could go back
to any of them for more in-depth information. Mr Ridpath had
His classmate Rameez Ansari also struggled to come up with excellent advice on what universities are looking for and had
a career choice and he found it difficult to narrow down the list all the data on hand about our abilities and what grades we are
of potential subjects to just four. In the end he has opted for predicted to get. His advice was to broaden our knowledge and
chemistry, business and economics, DT (design technology) and subject choices and not to do something we didn’t want to do.”
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8. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
BLASTING OUT: Brass teacher Mr Hudson conducts a performance by Harrison Crawford (left), Felix Griffin (partly obscured), Ramya Iyer and Chloe Lawson.
BRASS ACCOLADES
Al Yasmina brass students achieved some of the highest scores preparation and study and entrants frequently need a guiding
ever recorded in the UAE in their recent exams, their teacher, (and at times disciplinary!) hand with home rehearsal. Every
Mr Hudson says. one of the students’ parents took time to visit me to discuss the
format of the exams and the commitment required from their
Of the 12 students who sat the Associated Board of Royal children before making the decision to enter. Consequently the
Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams, eight received distinction. parental support has been a large factor in these wonderful
The other four were awarded merit and were no more than results. It has again confirmed the extensive interest in the
three points away from obtaining distinction. These scores led instrumental music service at Al Yasmina, and further endorses
to a group of the brass musicians being invited to perform in the the recognition of its importance in the school curriculum.”
exam board’s ‘high scorers concert’.
Feel like finishing off the month with a musical interlude?
Mr Hudson says making the decision to prepare for an ABRSM Hear some of Al Yasmina’s talented musicians play in a recital
exam is a sizeable one, both for the students and their parents. on the last Thursday of each month. The performance kicks off
“These examinations require months of disciplined home at 2.45pm and lasts for around half an hour.
MATHS CHAMP
Year 11 student Hannah Morris has topped the school with
her marks in the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) intermediate
challenge. Hannah received a gold certificate, along with two
other students, Abigail Alexander and Mohammed Shahrour.
The UKMT is an international competition organised the
University of Leeds in the UK to advance the mathematical
education of children and young people. More than 90 Al
Yasmina students in Years 9, 10 and 11 took part in the
challenge, which forms part of the schools able, gifted and
talented provision for maths. Hannah has been competing in
UKMT challenges for the last four years, and last year also
received a gold certificate. She plans to take both maths and
further maths for A levels when she returns to the UK in
September. The silver certificate recipients were:
Ahson Kamal, Alex Parsons, Alvin Singh, Clara Ziada, Usman
Liaqat, Omar Ali and Faiqa Subhani. Those who received
bronze certificates were: Josh Brundan, Lana Zuhair,
Priyanka Iyer, Rebecca Schonberg, Anissa Johnson, Hibah
Hassan, Laura Tibi, Emily Green, Ahmed Alsaqri, Claire
Lynch, Yeain Lim, Harrison Crawford, Yousef Abdelfattah,
Andrew Lord, Oliver Barron, Yan Tenyakov, Zain Mustafa,
MATHS MIND: Hannah Morris, who received the best results in the school in the Tejas Menon and Fawz Hreiki.
UKMT maths challenge.
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9. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
DISCO TO RAISE
FUNDS FOR UGANDA
ADVENTURE
WELL EARNED REST: At the top of Jebel Hafeet: Liam Troup (left), Nicholas Bryant,
A secondary school ‘spring fling’ disco this month is the Daniel Brundan, Jon Alexander and Rafeh Safdar.
major fundraiser for a group of World Challenge Year 12
students who are raising money to help build a school in a The team members are Rafeh Safdar. Jon Alexander, Daniel
Ugandan village. Brundan, Nicholas Bryant, Liam Troup, Stefan Bennett, Khalifa
Abdulla, Chloe Moss, Emily Prest, Nicole Crighton and Jess Vickery.
The March 20 disco is being organised by 11 students who Meanwhile, the next cohort of Duke of Edinburgh candidates
leave for Uganda on June 10. Some of the group are doing completed the adventure section of their silver medal last weekend,
the World Challenge as an adventure in its own right, while spending three days and two nights in the desert. Want to know
for others it is part of the gold medal Duke of Edinburgh more about the Duke of Edinburgh programme?
award. Uganda was chosen from a list of developing
countries by the group, and one of the reasons was a team cstephenson@alyasmina.sch.ae
member’s father was born there, says Chloe Moss, one of http://www.dofe.org
the students fundraising for the trip. The group has been
on a training exercise in the desert and while conditions
did not resemble the Ugandan countryside, they were able
to rehearse situations that could occur under arduous WORKING WORLD
conditions.
BECKONS
“We looked at what to do if someone got lost, or if there was
an injury to someone in the party. We also practiced other Year 10 students swap their school bags for briefcases
skills such as sanitising water,” Chloe says. “We worked this month, leaving their lessons behind for a week’s work
on getting the team together and focusing on the roles experience.
that everyone needs to play in the group.”Now the practice
run has been completed, the group’s attention has turned The 68 students have been placed in a wide range of industry
back to fundraising. Recent fundraising activities include groups, ranging from nurseries, engineering consultancies
selling Valentine’s sweets bags, providing refreshments at to a theatre company, the Al Ain Zoo and a gym. Work
events, organising a cake sale and a charity football match experience co-coordinator Miss Stephenson says the main
between the Year 12 boys and the teachers (the teachers aim of the programme is to give students a taste of being in
emerged victorious). It was attended by Radio One DJs the working world rather than aligning it with their specific
Serena, Danny Cee and Flo. Five team members also career interests. “Many students might go to other countries
raised around 6000dhs by completing a sponsored climb up and want to seek part-time jobs within the next couple of
Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. years and need to understand the responsibilities of being in
a workplace. Things like punctuality, working with initiative,
In Uganda, the team will spend a week trekking in the meeting deadlines and getting along with people they don’t
jungle and a week helping out in a village. The students know all come into play. This is an opportunity for them to see
plan to add a roof to an unfinished school building and carry what the ‘real world’ is like.”
out any other carpentry work that they can. Fundraising
will go to buy extra building materials in Uganda. It is the Year 10 was selected because it was felt the experience
end of the monsoon season and the team is expecting wet, would help sharpen students’ focus as they get further into
muddy conditions with humid conditions in the forest and their GCSE programme, Miss Stephenson says. Employers
cooler conditions as they climb higher. Chloe says the are given a handbook detailing some of the activities and
group is able to access an comprehensive evacuation plan experiences that the school recommends for its students.
and will carry a satellite beacon and satellite phone. “It The amount of coursework and modular exams in Year 11
is very remote, and at times it will be quite scary, but that means work experience is not an option for this group, Miss
is part of the challenge. But we know if something goes Stephenson says, but work experience is being arranged for
wrong, we can get out quickly. The silver medal for the Year 12 students in June.
Duke of Edinburgh is testing, it does push you to the limit,
and Uganda will do that too. We will work as a team and I Can you help with placements for Year 12 students?
will really get to know the people I go to school with!” Contact cstephenson@alyasmina.sch.ae
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10. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
ROBUST PROCESS FOR MAKING
GCSE CHOICES
Progress Leader Mr Commons and students Soo Lim and Rhys Vickery.
Year 9 student Soo Lim didn’t skip a beat when asked what checks all students’ choices with their subject teachers. The
optional subjects she plans to take for GCSE. “Art, French, DT school decides whether to offer an IGCSE or GCSE subject after
textiles and history,” she answered immediately. The 14-year- analysing the course content and taking into account how well
old has carefully handpicked her subjects so she can fulfill the content sets up students for study at Post-16. Mr Commons
one of her two career aspirations - either becoming a wedding says the process is both robust and consultative. “We make
dress designer or a translator. For her classmate Rhys Vickery, sure students have ample time to discuss their options with
the decision took a little longer. He has chosen PE, history, their parents and their subject teachers,” he says. “Our aim is
geography and ICT. “I’ve chosen the subjects that I enjoy and to have our students taking subjects that are right for them and
that I’m strong in,” he says. Their choices have been fed back to delivering these options in the best possible way.”
the Curriculum Learning and Progress Leader, Mr Commons,
who makes sure students have made the right subject choice
before he turns his attention to drawing up the GCSE timetable
and looking at staffing levels. MATHS CHALLENGE
Students have to take English, maths, chemistry, biology and There were no correct answers to the last math’s challenge,
physics and are asked to pick four optional subjects, one from which asked readers to solve a sock problem. Surprisingly,
each of four option blocks. Previous year’s choices are used you only have to take three socks from the drawer. Imagine if
to decide whether a subject appears on one of more subject the first was red, the second was black, then there is no pair.
blocks. History, for example, was a popular choice last year However, it does not matter what colour you pick out third as it
so appears on three option blocks, and more teachers have will match one of your socks. This month’s maths challenge is a
been employed to cope with the extra numbers. PE, another doodling exercise. Without lifting your pencil from the page and
favourite, is on two blocks. This year Business Studies has only drawing four straight lines can you pass through every dot
emerged as the most popular subject, Mr Commons says. New in the square below?
subjects are also introduced each year. In September, one of
Soo’s choices - DT Textiles - will be offered for the first time.
DT students can also specialise in resistant materials, graphics
and food technology.
The process of selecting optional subjects for GCSE kicks
off in January when option booklets are sent to parents. A
week later, parent teacher consultations and an options
presentation session are held on the same evening, giving
parents the opportunity to talk to subject teachers ahead of
the presentation. Students’ options choices are submitted in The solution and the person who solved it correctly will be
mid February and confirmation letters are sent out at the end published in the next newsletter. Email your answers to:
of the second term. In the intervening period, Mr Commons crichards@alyasmina.sch.ae
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11. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
SNIPPETS
GRAND PLANS: Christo talks to students at Al Yasmina School.
GRAND PLANS: Christo talks to students at Al Yasmina School.
WRAPPING IT UP
A mesmerizing talk by Bulgarian artist Christo, who is known
for wrapping iconic buildings in fabric, kept GCSE art and BTEC
students glued to their seats during a talk at the school. His visit
was part of a lecture tour hosted by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts
Foundation. He also discussed his plans to build a Mastaba ( a
flat roofed, rectangular structure) made of more than 400,000 oil
barrels, in the desert near Liwa. Art and Design Curriculum Team
Leader Mrs Walsh says Al Yasmina was one of two schools in Abu
Dhabi that was visited by the famous contemporary artist. His visit
SMART ATTIRE: Frontline staff in their new uniforms. was particularly relevant for the BTEC students, who are working
on a sculptural unit of work. “Being able to hear what he had to say
A UNIFORM APPROACH was an amazing experience for the students and added a depth of
understanding that they couldn’t get from a visit to a gallery.”
http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/
Smart, professional and easily recognisable - that’s the message
being projected by front of house administration staff in their new
business uniforms. They have the option of wearing either a black
skirt or trousers with a tailored jacket, white shirt and green scarf
with Al Yasmina branding which ties loosely around the neck.
The uniforms have received a positive response from the school
community, Administrative Manager Mrs Roberts says. “They make
us easily identifiable to parents, we look smart and businesslike and
project a good first impression of the school.”
ON FILM: A BBC cameraman films Cameron for the documentary.
CAMEL CAMPAIGN
ATTRACTS WORLDWIDE
INTEREST
Cameron Oliver’s profile as a camel campaigner has been raised
even further with the release of a short BBC documentary on his
activities.
The Year 9 student spent two days with a BBC camera crew and
who filmed him and a group of fellow students cleaning up rubbish
in the desert. The result was a four-minute segment which was
screened on the BBC documentary channel 10 times over a period
SHAKESPEARE COMES
of three days. The exposure led to a flurry of emails from as far
away as Brazil, India, China and Egypt, many hoping to get their
TO LIFE
hands on one of Cameron’s distinctive camel campaign t-shirts,
but others offering to donate money to the cause. As a result,
Cameron says he will investigate establishing a Paypal account.
Romeo and Juliet came to life for 90 Year 8 students who travelled Now the documentary has been aired, it’s back to his core business
to Dubai to see a performance of the Shakespearean drama. The of raising awareness of the dangers of rubbish on the health of the
visit was a timely one for the students, who have been studying the UAE’s camels. “I said on the documentary that I will never give
play in English. Also on the trip were 12 Year 10 drama students, up, and I won’t, not until the camels stop dying and the rubbish is
who are required to critically analyse a live performance as part of cleared up.”
their drama coursework. http://www.shakespeare4kidz.com http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9695147.stm
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12. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
EVERY CHILD MATTERS
The principles of Every Child Matters - the UK-based initiative
which ensures every child is looked after and given the
opportunities they deserve - is a woven into Al Yasmina’s PSCHCEE
classes.
The programme was established by the Department for Children,
School and Families and is set across a framework of services
that touch on the lives of children, ranging from doctors and
hospitals to social services and schools. Every Child Matters has
five strands: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a
positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing. PSHCEE
Coordinator Miss Stephenson says the programme is implemented
across the school. “Each of the topics that we cover in PSHCEE
(personal, social, health, citizenship, economic education) classes
addresses aspects of the Every Child Matters agenda,” she says.
“For instance, Year 7 is discussing friendships and bullying, which
fits in with the ‘stay safe’ strand. Implementing this programme is READY, SET, GO: A flying start for competitors at the Muscat swimming
championships.
not done in a regimented way, but it does underpin everything that
we do as teachers.”
http://www.education.gov.uk/ SWIM CHAMPS A
RESOUNDING SUCCESS
FAMILY FUN SPORTS DAY Al Yasmina’s secondary swimming team came home with a host
of medals from an international swimming competition, and the
Don’t forget family fun day on Saturday from 9am- honour of having one of its members, Cameron Oliver, chosen as
1pm. Join a mixed team of students, parents and swimmer of the tournament. A team of 31 Al Yasmina students,
teachers and compete in sports including football, from Years 3 to 9, competed in the British Schools of the Middle
tag rugby, swimming relays and multi skill events. East Swimming Championships in Muscat. They participated in 124
Families who enter will be asked for a donation and races and came home with a cache of 39 medals from individual
funds will go to various charities and to support races and relays - 10 gold, 19 silver and 10 bronze. PE teacher Mr
the school PE programme. Refreshments will be Todorov says all swimmers swam personal best times in all races,
provided by FOY (Friends of Yasmina). with some of the times very close to the championship records.
“Our swimmers demonstrated quality swims with excellent skills
and race awareness. They approached the whole competition and
FRESH VEGES FROM FOY
each race in a very professional and mature manner. They did us
very proud.”
Want to receive a box of fresh, locally grown vegetables every
Wednesday for a month?
All you have to do is place and pay for your order by the first Monday
WEBSITE REVAMP
of each month. Orders should be emailed to Lindy at It’s been a slow and frustrating process, but Al Yasmina’s new-
foyveg@hotmail.com and payment placed in the Vegappetit box look website will be completed by the end of term. The new
at reception. Include your name and mobile number. Then, pick design will reflect the look and feel of both the secondary and the
up your box each Wednesday after school outside the secondary primary school and will be a comprehensive, up-to-date source of
library. The deliveries are organised by Friends of Yasmina (FOY) information for information on the school.
as part of its fundraising efforts. Already around 40 parents and
staff are getting their vegetables via Vegappetit, choosing between
a 2.5kg box for 30dhs, or a 5kg box which costs 55dhs. Each box
contains a selection of seasonal vegetables. Specific orders are not
taken - each box is prepacked with a selection of vegetables.
FOY chairperson Janine Loftus says this is only one of several
fundraising initiatives being organised by the group, which is also
selling second hand uniforms. Anyone interested in buying or
selling uniforms that are surplus to their requirements should
email Urooj at alyasminafoy@gmail.com FOY members meet
regularly and the group welcomes new members and is always
looking for volunteers to help out at various events.
janineloftus@hotmail.com.
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13. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
SCHOOL TRIPS
Secondary classes were out and about last month on a variety of The Post-16 physics group used a visit to Ferrari World to better
trips and excursions to support learning in the classroom. Year their understanding of dynamic physics. Data collected was
9 geography students headed for Jumeirah Beach Residence in used to design an experiment to investigate energy transfers
Dubai where they explored both the physical and human aspects of moving objects. And just to make sure the objects did move,
of coastal geography. They used many data collection techniques the group also sampled the various rides on offer. A group of 17
including beach profiling, assessment of environmental quality Year 10 GCSE PE students volunteered at the HSBC Abu Dhabi
and questionnaire surveys. Students are now using their data to Golf Championships. The students were responsible for ensuring
write a report on how and why this coastline needs managing. that all of the scoreboards on the course were up to date and
accurate, information which was then shown on TV screens
Dubai was also the destination for Year 7 science students, around the world. Thanks to the students’ efforts, Al Yasmina has
who visited the aquarium and underwater zoo. They were been asked to provide volunteers for next year’s event. And last
given a two-hour tour by specialist guides which added to their but not least, Year 7 DT (design technology) students had a day at
understanding of their current science topic "classification and the Shahama Petting Zoo.
food webs." The students carried the food theme through to their
visit to Candylicious. Teachers were able to do their own research
on the affect of sugar on adolescents on the return journey.
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14. AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 1
MARCH 2012
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
AIDA ANANI ALYA AL SUWAIDI KYRELLOS KAMEL
Arabic Islamic Native Art Maths
HASAN AL MASHANI MOHAMMED SHAHROUR CHELSEA LAWSON
Arabic Islamic Non-native Business Studies Music
TOMMY WOUTERS
KYRELLOS KAMEL Drama LUKE READ
Arabic Native ICT PE
ROWAN SMITH RAMYA IYER ZACH GILLROY
Arabic Non-native DT Psychology
SALLY ZEIDAN ABRAR SYED ANISSA JOHNSON
Arabic Social Studies Economics Science
OMAR NASME
SAM O’SHEA
KARAN
SAMPAT
SARAH PACE
ASEEL MOHAMMAD NIAMH GRIFFITHS
Geography
English Spanish
CLAIRE MCMANAMON-
PURTELL TRENT FREEMAN
French History
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