June, 2019 | Issue 9 CES NEWSLETTER News from Our Headmaster Dear Parents, Another year has flown by. We have of course been extremely busy over the last few months, and time always seems to pass so much more quickly when one has a lot on one's mind. I have enjoyed the end of term and end of year celebrations, the FS2 graduation, the Year 6 leavers assembly and the Year 12 graduation ceremony. Although tinged with sadness this year, I still felt optimism for our young people as they left our school to take their places at university and in the world. This is my last newsletter as Headmaster of CES, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your support over the last 2 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed living in Egypt and being part of the CES community, and this is largely down to the undeniable warmth and hospitality of the Egyptian people. I have enjoyed working with your children, their boundless energy and enthusiasm delights me, and I hope I have left the school in good shape for my successor. Thank-you all for your kindness, and I wish you and yours every success and happiness. Steve Lewis Headmaster
FS & KS1 – our last Newsletter for the School Year 2018/19 We have now come to the end of another wonderful and incredibly hectic school year. It is hard to believe how quickly this year has passed and how much our children have grown. I would like to thank you for your continuing support, your trust, and your commitment to the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 Section of CES. Though this was another busy year, having you as partners in your child's education played an important role in making it another success! Thank you! This term we have celebrated end of year shows with assemblies, a choral performance, the stunning production of Alice in Wonderland and the FS2 Graduation. The children have really enjoyed sharing their many talents with you! Swimming was a fun time for the FS children, so much so, some FS1 children enjoyed writing about their experience. Wonderful early writing skills on display with many recognisable letters and words! Here are just some of the pictures of our FS1s having fun in the pool for the first time: Here's some from FS2, even warming up in the sun afterwards: We have also been partaking in different year group transition activities. For our new parents to FS1 in September, we welcomed them into school over the course of two days, for an in-class orientation on what to expect in the first few days at 'big school'. We also delighted in transitions for FS1 going into FS2, FS2 going into Year 1, Year 1 into Year 2 and Year 2 into KS2! For FS2 children, this is a big step. They are moving to the other side of our corridor and were joyously welcomed by the Year 1 classes and teachers. The Y1 children were so happy and eager to show the FS2 children around the different areas of the school which will be new to them. It also helped to dispel the unknown and allay anxiety. All of the children had a fun time! For our Year 2s going into Year 3, this too is another big step, but our Year 2s are more than ready to face the challenges that this brings. They really have matured and their sensibility is now more evident! We wish all children moving into different year groups and different sections of the school all the very best! Teacher feedback from FS1s transitioning with FS2: 'We had so much fun having FS1H visit us this morning in our class. FS2J were really excited to show them the classroom, the resources we have and to introduce themselves too. They really enjoyed the experience of pairing up with a younger friend from FS1 and sharing a group story. They chose their favourite story 'Room on the Broom' to share with them... It was such a lovely experience for not only the children but for us adults too!' Feedback from Year 1 teachers regarding transition activities: 'Yesterday, I had the opportunity to step into some FS2 classes as part of transition and I was absolutely delighted with what I observed. The standard of writing the children were producing was phenomenal. They were using capital letters, finger spaces, full stops and the presentation of their work was immaculate and all done independently. It was lovely to see pupils tackling Phase 4 words.... I felt like I was in a Reception class in the UK. The setup, displays and the warm, happy, secure learning environment was a joy to observe. Every single child exuded enthusiasm and happiness for school, for learning...' 'It was a lovely experience for both classes. I was so happy to see my children take the lead.' Our FS2 Graduating Class on their trip to Sitara... Our final 'Hall of Fame' Superstars for this academic year... Congratulations to Farida Mohamed Mostafa Kamel, Y2OS, who participated in a laser shooting and running tournament where she achieved second place, gaining a silver medal and a certificate of appreciation awarded for her participation! The wonderful point to note is that Farida is competing at the 10-year-old level even though she is still 7 years old. Fantastic effort and determination Farida! Hassan Hassan, FS2S, achieved a silver medal in Judo, well done Hassan!! Well done to Mourad El Zoghby, Y1OC, who won third place in the Ramadan Judo tournament held at the Heliopolis club. Congratulations to Omar Assem Abdel Latif, FS2R, for winning a bronze medal in judo at the Ramadan Tournament at the Heliopolis Club. His brother Yassin in Y4G won gold at the same tournament. Well done boys! Congratulations Hassan Mohamed Osman, Y1IM, who received a trophy for second place in the Ramadan Tennis Tournament held at the Heliopolis Club. What a star! Congratulations to Youssef Ekdawi, Y1JR, for winning a bronze medal in judo at the Ramadan Tournament at the Heliopolis Club. Congratulations to Lara Abdul Fattah, FS2C, who received a gold medal for her participation in a recent ballet show. Congratulations to Youssef Wael Houter, FS2C, who achieved a medal for his performance in a Pirate's Show in his drama, acting and theatre classes within the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Congratulations to Talia Mubarak, FS1S, who received a gold medal for completion of beginner junior-level ballet. Well done Talia! Congratulations to both Haya Ibrahim and Sophia Abdel Mohsen, 2LM, both girls received gold medals in a recent ballet performance. Bravo! Congratulations to Jayda Mohamed Shaaban, Y1KF, who received a gold medal for her performance in 'Easy Talent Academy' ballet competition. Well done! Congratulations to Kareem Bahgat and Nelly Yasser, FS1G, who participated in the Annual Children's Choir at the Cairo Opera House and did an amazing job. Way to go! Foundation Stage and Key Stage One teachers, admin and management would like to wish all our families a wonderful and safe summer. Summer work is being sent home, please don't let children's learning stop at the school gates. Make learning fun over the holidays so they retain some of the many skills and much of the knowledge they have gained over the course of this year. It really does have a massive impact on their return to school. Read daily, for enjoyment...the greatest gift you can give your child! Happy holidays, see you in September!
News from Our Head of Primary Dear Parents and Students, Sometimes it feels like if I blink, I will miss something. Life flies by so quickly here at CES, it only feels like yesterday that I was starting at CES and you were all so kind in making me feel so welcome. Over the past 4 years, we have grown to know each other well, we trust and respect one another and when all is said and done, we all work together as a team to ensure your children are at the fore to everything. Together we have seen the school grow and develop and I am truly proud of the students and teachers. As I walk around the school at line up or at the end of the day there are so many parents that I know, chat to or give a wave to. So, it is with sadness that I write my final newsletter to my CES family. I am often asked what I will remember about CES and my four years here and the overwhelming thing will be the students. I will remember that football and handball can be played all day every day no matter what the temperature and that you are so passionate about these games. Winning is everything! I will remember that you (students) always rise to my expectations it may take weeks or months, but we will get there in the end. I will remember that even when you have been in trouble you always thank me for my time and apologise for interrupting me. But most of all I will remember that you all voted for me to be pied on the last day of term and I like to think that's your way of saying 'Thank you' and 'We will miss you', but realistically I know it's because you just want to get your own back for me saying 'shirts and shoes' and 'tie your hair up'. So as I pass over the guardianship of KS2 to Mr Richard Horn, I know CES is in very safe hands and you will all continue to grow as a family and a team and be even more successful in the future. Rather than goodbye I will say... Have a great summer, stay safe and see you soon. Claire Rowland Head of Primary Introductory Letter to Parents Dear Parents We all give our thanks to Miss Claire for her work at CES and I am sure you recognise how the school has grown whilst she has been Head. However, I am very proud to introduce myself as the new Head of KS2 at CES. I have been here in Egypt for two years now and I find it a richly diverse and exciting country and I am very grateful to be a guest here. As the school has already shared with you, I studied at Oxford before moving into Education, where I have worked for over 25 years. These include the years I spent as the Headteacher of an Outstanding school in the UK, before I came to join CES. I personally believe that the purpose of the school is to ensure the very best standards of education and achievement possible for your children. In order to achieve this the school must provide not only a well thought out and exciting curriculum but also ensure your children feel safe and secure in the school. I will work tirelessly, with all the members of the school community, to ensure both these aspects are met and continually improved. I have been fortunate to secure an excellent team for next year. I know that with the hard-work and commitment of staff and pupils, as well as your support, we can continue to grow CES into an even better and more successful school – for the benefit of all your children. Yours sincerely Richard Horn Headteacher Designate
Secondary School News It's been a wonderful two years here at CES for me and my family, and the time has gone by so quickly. So much has happened, and I'm proud to have been a small part of the amazing accomplishments of our students and teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the CES community for their kindness, patience, and friendship, which truly exemplifies the absolute best that Egypt has to offer. I wish all the students in the Secondary school all the success in the world and I cannot wait to hear about your future achievements. Ms Carol Pratt Head of Secondary Since our last newsletter, we have been very busy with the usual goings-on that are par for the course at CES. After the Spring Break, we began observing Ramadan, which saw the majority of our students fasting for the Holy Month. PE lessons were inside, and very few of our fanatic footballers were seen playing at lunchtime. Preparations for the End of Year exams began, and the exams themselves were held in the last week of May and finished just as Eid was about to begin. Since then, the school has been preparing for our busy last week of term, with Graduation, Awards Afternoon, the Talent Show, and the final day of school which included trips to CFC, African Cup of Nations Day, and Year 7 Fun Day. A great end to our year – thank you to the students and parents for their support and attendance during this week. GRADUATION The Class of 2019 enjoyed a day of celebration where the whole school came out to cheer as they made their way to the auditorium for the Graduation Ceremony. Speeches by the Headmaster Mr Lewis, the Head Students – Mohamed Fakhreldin and Marina Wanis – and the Valedictorians – Reem Gomaa and Hussein Khalil – were enjoyed by all. A special tribute was paid to our dear friend Malak Tibar who passed away earlier this month. We were very grateful to be able to celebrate her life with her family. Congratulations to the Graduates and we wish them all the best in the future!
CAIRO ENGLISH SCHOOL PO Box 8020, Masaken Nasr City 11371, Cairo, Egypt • (+202) 2249 0200
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