Cairo English School Newsletter

February 2nd, 2017 | Issue 7

CES NEWSLETTER

Headmaster News
Welcome from our Headmaster

Although it is already February, I still would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that it has been a positive start to the year. Many challenges lie ahead both academically and within Egypt. I hope that in a few years' time, you will appreciate and understand the pedagogical model Cairo English School and more widely Esol Education stand for. The overarching desire is to see our students, your children, become leaders and role models in their community. I strongly believe that our students are given many opportunities to succeed and can seek out opportunities to be leaders of the 21st century and leaders in Egypt in many walks of life.


Term 2 has been a focused start after the hectic days of productions, talent show, concerts and choral performances. This term is a term for building on the foundations of Term 1 and flourishing, showing understanding and being able to apply knowledge and understanding in different settings. No excuses are given that the beginning of this term has focused on academic achievement and also older students sitting 'mock' examinations to gain a full appreciation of their current status and what they need to do to achieve good respectable grades.


As you may probably know, I was recently in London recruiting. London is a great city, to visit, a very expensive city where now there is no house in London being sold for less than £300,000, which is 6.9 million LE for the cheapest place. The atmosphere within London for workers seemed to me very focused and driven, people work incredibly hard and long hours commuting outside of London as cannot afford to live there. There is a real feeling of a desire and expectation to perform and perform at your very best whether working in a hotel or the Stock Market. It must be understood by our students that to get on takes hard work, determination, lifelong learning and currently a very positive approach to their studies.


It is also so disappointing for me to write about the departure of Ms. Maureen Jarrett but given her immense contribution, hopefully her everlasting legacy it is right and appropriate within this newsletter to thank her for all her hard work and to wish her the best as she copes with her recently diagnosed illness. To those children that will miss her regular comments of support, booster classes, interventions and advice set yourself the target of making someone, I know many children related to and respected immensely, proud by achieving the very best you can and that you fulfil your full potential. I have been in contact with her recently and she still takes a great interest in the school, will be advising Ms. Claire Rowland from afar and wishes all at CES the very best.


Let's all see that we can make her proud!


Please also congratulate Ms.Claire Rowland on her promtion to Head of Primary and please give her your support.


Have a great weekend.


Upcoming Events
Thursday - February 2, 2017
 
Sunday - February 5, 2017
 
Monday - February 6, 2017
 
Tuesday - February 21, 2017
 
Sunday - February 26, 2017
 
Saturday - March 4, 2017
 
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Welcome from our Head of Early Years

Parent Tips from Early Years...
Helping children with their behaviour...

Children learn how to behave...

All children are individuals, because they are born with their own character. This is why even children within the same family do not react in the same way to similar situations.
Even so, a great deal of young children's behaviour is learned through experience. They learn from how important people in their life react when they behave well or not so well. They also copy ways of behaving - both 'good' and 'bad' - from adults. Children do not just imitate other children.


Young children need grown-up help to build habits of 'good' behaviour and your patience when they make mistakes. There will be times when they know what they should do, but are struggling to do it. They welcome caring guidance at these times just as they welcome help when they cannot manage to build their brick tower or pour their own juice. It may seem obvious with these activities that children need time and practice to learn what to do. The same is true of learning how to behave. .


Be clear what you want...


Children need boundaries set by grown-ups who do not change the ground rules to suit their own moods. The most helpful adults are 'firm but fair' people, who stick to 'No' when that is important. They also check themselves to make sure they are not saying 'No' as a habit, without thinking.
Ground rules cannot be mainly about what children should not do. For every 'don't do that' be ready with an alternative 'do'!


Focus on the positives...


Make the effort to catch children out 'being good'. In our weekly assemblies in Early Years, we give certificates for those children 'caught doing something good'. It can cover anything from trying really hard at writing their name, sharing nicely with other children, trying to control their behaviour most of the time, or helping in class etc.


Children learn best when they receive generous encouragement for what they have actually done. You can use words, smiles and gestures like clapping.


- Children understand much more about sharing when they hear, 'Well done, you let Ali have some of your bricks'. A real example like this gives children much more information than vague instructions of 'You have to share'.


- Rewards and treats have a place but need to be used with care. It is unwise to let children learn to expect 'payment' by sweets, or anything else, for ordinary consideration and kindness.


- Avoid picking up on every little bit of 'bad' behaviour from your child. If you are having a hard time with a child, find and say three good things each day that he or she has done.


- Make sure that children are confident of your affection, no matter if you have to deal with serious squabbling or a huge mess. Definitely resist the temptation to say, 'I won't like (or love) you any more if...' Children need to feel the emotional security that comes with, 'I like you but I don't like what you have done to Sara'.

Why do we find it hard sometimes...?

No one is perfect. The best of adults get tired, run out of patience and make mistakes in the heat of the moment. A thoughtful adult will consider, 'Would I like a child to say or do what I have just done?' If necessary, we should say 'Sorry', just as we would expect from children.


Adults can have less good days and it is important that children do not get told off for the same action that was greeted with laughter yesterday. Of course, children learn that sometimes rules get bent a little. However, they cannot manage if adult reactions change dramatically.


It is hard to remain calm when you feel watched by other parents or people, especially when your child is having a tantrum whilst out. Nevertheless, children deserve a chance to behave well, even if you feel embarrassed by the audience. Remember, not everyone is tutting; Many people will admire your patience.


Whatever your own childhood experiences or the views of people you know, you can decide that warm encouragement does not spoil children. You can be firm that children learn best by telling them what they have done right and using fair consequences. It is your choice.



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Welcome from our Head of Primary

Dear Parents, Children and Staff,

Welcome back and Happy New Year. I hope you and your families all had relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

It's been a busy start to the New Year and as we look ahead to the coming months there are a lots of exciting challenges and experiences ahead.

Assemblies

The first assemblies of 2017 were led by 5F and 3D.

Last term 5F studied WW2 using comics to help us in our writing. In our assembly we tried to convey the message that even though people are superheroes and superstars they often can't help us. We need to look for the right person (not just heroes), even if they are just our friends, to help us with our problems and they will most of the time do better than any superhero! By Ms Knight

Class 3D performed the first assembly of 2017. Accordingly, the topic was 'New Year Resolutions'. The children learnt how to say "Happy New Year" in different languages and explained different cultures celebrations of the new year. Each student shared their own personal new year resolution. They also took us back in time to Ancient Rome, where we learnt why we call the first month of the year January. By Ms Nora Adly




QUCK REMINDERS...

Attendance Matters!
With dark, cold and gloomy mornings many of us might be tempted to stay under the blankets. However, it is really important to come to school even with a slight cold or sniffle.
If in doubt, we advise that children are sent to school. If they look like they are really unwell or get worse through the day the doctor will call you to pick them up. However, nine times out of ten, once the children start the day, they quickly feel a lot better!
We ask that the children are in school all day everyday. This means not arriving late or leaving school early. We will only authorise a child leaving school early in emergency or exceptional circumstances. Doctors, dentists or other appointments are not considered to be exceptional circumstances.

Doctors appointments should be made outside of school hours.


Uniform


The children are expected to wear the correct uniform including black shoes everyday. Please purchase your child's CES jumpers, jackets and PE kit from the school uniform shop.



Birthdays


In Year 2, the teachers are happy to celebrate the children's birthdays in school with a cake and drinks. Should you wish to do so please contact your child's class teacher to organise a suitable date and time. Parents are welcome to attend but siblings, cousins or friends will not be given permission to leave their classes and attend birthday celebrations.
The teachers in Years 3 – 6 are also happy to celebrate the children's birthdays, however we would ask that individual cupcakes or something similar are brought in to share. The children will celebrate at a convenient time that day. Please contact your child's class teacher if you wish to send cupcakes into school.


Phones, Tablets and Social Media

All devices should be turned off throughout the whole school day. They may only be turned on once the children are on the bus or in the car. We advise all children to store their devices inside the classroom.


Social Media such as Facebook, What's App and Snapchat are enjoyable and very useful tools for family and friends around the world to stay in touch. However, children should
not be using these sites unsupervised.

The legal age to open a Facebook or Snapchat account is 13; Whats App is 16 years of age, and Youtube is 18 years old!

Children are taught in school about Internet safety and appropriate use, but we need your help to reinforce this at home. Please monitor your child's use of their phone and tablets and check regularly that the parental controls and restrictions are updated. This will ensure that what your child writes, receives and views is age appropriate and culturally sensitive. The Internet is a powerful tool, which can have limitless benefits, but it must be used sensibly and safely.


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 5th February 8:30 -9:25 Year 4, 5 & 6 Learning Morning
Monday 6th February 8:30 -9:25 Year 2 & 3 Learning Morning
17th February - 25th February Year 6 PGL London Trip
26th February – 28th February Book Week
28th February 8:00 am – 4:00 pm PTCs



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Welcome From Our Head of Secondary

Dear all,

On the 17th January there was a new and important chapter opened in CES History. A carefully selected group of Year 10 students received their Maths IGCSE results. These students had followed a carefully planned scheme which enabled them to sit this exam in the October, two years earlier than the majority of their counterparts in the UK. To be very honest, it was a risk and I do believe that I can claim to have been more nervous than the students as I came into school that Tuesday morning. With an enormous sigh of relief (and admittedly a tear or two), I can say what a wonderful success story this turned into – what on earth was I worried about! 17 students, gaining 6 A*'s and 11 A's. As you can imagine there was jubilation and euphoria. Then, as always for me, a period reflection. What had they achieved and more importantly HOW had they achieved this?

This required me to look at the individuals that made up this class. Of course they are talented students with a gift in this area but we have many students who are talented and gifted, yet would not have achieved a similar cohort of results. So I needed to go deeper. The conclusion that I came to was that this group of students had something in common – a factor that could be traced over their performance in other subject areas. They were / are independent learners! They allow their teacher to 'facilitate' their learning rather than 'control'. Their teacher is their there to guide them through, but they find their way, speaking with each other, reflecting on specific areas they need to work on, seeking out assistance when required, setting their own goals and being focused in achieving these goals. They learn from failing, but sometimes failing then didn't prevent them from trying and eventually succeeding.

In many ways this had led me to share with you my focus for this newsletter. It is a focus you have all undoubtedly heard me say but may still be left wondering. What it is I am saying, where is the validity in what I am saying, and why should you believe me? I googled 'Why is important for students to be independent learners?' Interestingly I got a massive number of results which I could have written myself, but I as you, was looking for validity. Below I have picked out the key reasons:

1. Students learn how to learn.
Knowing how to regurgitate material on an exam is very different to actually understanding the process of learning. Students who aren't given the opportunity for independent learning don't acquire the skill of HOW to learn. They are never exposed to investigating a principle and examining its many angles. The teacher should not stand in the way of the student's natural curiosity and control it all.

2. Independent learning focuses on the process and not simply the goal.
The process of learning is the most important part of learning. Active participation generates interest and then the goal takes care of itself. Being fixated on the goal limits our ability to fail and reflect along the way. This is a necessary process.


3. Independent learning includes time management and other life skills.
Traditional classroom environments can hamper a child's ability to function in the real world where deadlines, distractions, and other obstacles are in the way. Bosses on the job don't act like teachers. Students need to learn to be self-disciplined and accountable. It is a necessary life skill. Learning this outside school can cost them dearly.


4. Independence Creates Ownership.
Students who take the lead in their learning feel much more of a pride in what they are doing. This ownership generates a drive towards greater success and improvement.

5. Internal satisfaction.
The world isn't going to cheer us all on always. When things get tough, those who don't quit are the ones who are determined to rely on their own sense of satisfaction and not someone patting them on the back. Students who have a facilitator rather than a teacher will come to depend on themselves for a job well done.


6. Independent learners are more aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.
A weakness is only as dangerous as the level of ignorance the person has about it. Independent learning forces students to grapple with both their strengths and weaknesses through the educational process.


7. Students can self-critique more effectively.
When the process is part of the goal, failure isn't quite so scary. When the fear of failure disappears, it is much easier to learn the art of self-critique. Traditional teachers and classrooms make little room for failure as everything is based on grades and exams.


8. Resourcefulness.
Learning is not always a straight path. Oftentimes it is a messy walk in the woods with a lot of detours. Independent learners are ready and capable of navigating the process whereas pupils that are fed information from the teacher will get discouraged when they venture out on their own.

References
http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/other/teac...

http://www.curee.co.uk/files/publication/[site-tim...

https://mikegershon.com/independent-learning-class...


Secondary House Football

Well done Ramses who took the title in all age groups! And also Khufu in Year 8 who finished joint first with Ramses.

In a well fought battle between firstly Year 7s on Sunday lunchtime, followed by Year 8s on Monday lunchtime and lastly Year 9 on Tuesday, the house football was certainly spectacular.

Year 7s had some well drilled teams and enjoyed the challenge but Ramses triumphed on the leadership of Coach Sullivan.
Year 8's was the closest section which nearly ended in a 3 way draw but eventually Khufu and Ramses got some goals leading to them finishing top of the table. Well done Coach Forshaw for managing his squad of many players.

Year 9 Ramses scored a 'flukey' goal from Daniel Kamal after intercepting a loose clearance which did the damage in what were very tight games with very few goals scored.

Thanks to the PE Department for facilitating this; very enjoyable to play in and watch.




House Football Year 8


House Football Year 7


Important Event

Prize Poet

Year 9 and 10 Dual Entry English First Language and Literature have been studying modern and post modern poetry for their IGCSE. We launched a Poetry competition to show off the skills they'd studied and we got some fantastic entries! Well done to the overall winner Khaled Khalifa in Year 10 for his brilliant poem inspired by Emily Dickinson about loss and separation. Extremely impressive Khaled! We were lucky to get a photo of him as "I will not take pictures unless it's for Vogue!".

Ms Gammond

Head of English and Year 10


Congratulations to Youssef George Fouad

Congratulations to Youssef George Fouad, Year 7, on his very successful achievement in his London School of Music examination. We look forward to hearing him play for us in the near future.



'Year 10 Fast Track Maths Class'

Front row

Basant Mohamed
Parthena Doss
Reem Gomaa
Nouran Harras
Hana Abo Zeina
Mohamed Algebeily
Gor Nahapetyan
Maureen Salama


Back row

Youmna Srour
Halla Abdelhamid
Hussein Khalil
Fabio Ramzy
Abdelrahman Mohamed
Shahdia Sharifi


Absent from photo

Kareem Arafa
Mrwan Thabet
Maryam El Taher


Special Recognition to:

Reem Gomaa scored 198/200


Basant Mohamed 195/200

Hussein Khalil 191/200


CAIRO ENGLISH SCHOOL

PO Box 8020, Masaken Nasr City 11371, Cairo, Egypt • (+202) 2249 0200

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