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AL YASMINA ABU DHABI Connect issue 2
SCHOOL Bloom october 2012/2013
Grow
Learn
Nurture
Play

THE SECONDARY
PARTNERSHIP

AL YASMINA SCHOOL STRIVES TO BE AN
OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
SCHOOL, MAXIMISING THE LEARNING
POTENTIAL OF ALL

WELCOME
Welcome to the second issue of the Secondary The Secondary PARTNERSHIP keeps you up-to-date
PARTnership for the 2012/2013 academic year. The with student activities across the secondary department.
Secondary PARTnership is the publication for Al It also gives Al Yasmina School the chance to celebrate
Yasmina's secondary school and is published eight times progress and achievement and provide more in depth
a year. Look for previous issues on the school website. information to parents on a wide variety of subjects.

We welcome your feedback.
communications@alyasmina.sch.ae

CONTENTS
WELCOME From the Secondary Principal 3
Enterprise programme launched in secondary school 4
Planning for National Day celebrations underway 6
Careers advice available for secondary students 7
Science fair 8
Focusing on History 9
Pastoral care a priority for Year 7 students 11
HH Sheikh Zayed inspires poet 12
Examination Officer 13
Online collaboration for ICT students 14
Reading programme underway 15
Equestrian club off to galloping start 16
New House system launched 17
Student Voice members elected 18
Halloween bake sale 19

The second PARTNERSHIP for this academic year
Topics, trends, updates, views and news from the Al Yasmina Secondary Department
Pictured on the cover: A SEA OF PINK: Al Yasmina School students abandoned their usual green attire today in favour of pink to show
their support for breast cancer awareness. The school raised 10 967.50 dhs for breast cancer research. 2

AL YASMINA SCHOOL issue 2
october 2012/2013

FROM THE SECONDARY PRINCIPAL
AND HEAD OF SCHOOL, MR GALE
The summer of pride began in London with the Olympic Games.
Pride radiated from the city and extended from the sporting
arena into homes and families. Here at Al Yasmina School we
also soaked up some of this Olympic pride, cheering on teams
from our home countries and celebrating in their success.

As every single student at this school knows, pride is a big part
of our core values. Pride, aspiration, respect and trust - our
values underpin every aspect of school life. I was especially
proud of the school during the ADEC inspection. Everyone
pulled out all the stops during inspection week, working
together for a common goal. An inspection team reviews every
aspect of school life and the school is required to produce a self
evaluation document which is evidence-based. The inspectors
spent a lot of time observing classroom practice from FS1 to
Year 13, talking with students and parents, reviewing policies,
student work and planning. We have received a brief overview We are already seeing some exciting innovations in the first half
of the inspection report and the commentary is very positive. of the term. The new sports website, curriculum changes, the
We will share excerpts from the report with the school Achievement Centre and the Enterprise programme are just
community when we receive the full copy and this will be placed some of the new initiatives. Student Voice representatives have
on the school’s website. As a school we strongly believe in also been finalised. We are committed, purposeful, determined
transparency being an important part of our culture. There will - and PROUD!
of course always be areas for improvement and we welcome
these suggestions. I am also looking forward to sharing with The Secondary PARTnership continues to provide a valuable
you the many areas in our school where the inspectors say we insight into what is going on in the secondary school. So much
are doing exceptionally well. of our communication centres around the practical issues that
are essential to keep school life on track. It’s good to be able to
The excellent GCSE results also were a source of pride for me.
offer you an insight into how we are continually adding value to
I know how hard students and teachers worked to get these
your child’s educational experience.
results. Achieving inside and outside of the classroom and
in exams takes commitment, sacrifice and hard work. These
I’d like to return briefly to the Olympics. A display in a notice
results were evidence of a partnership between teachers,
board in the secondary school uses the Olympic rings to show
students and parents. With these three components in place we
the connection between pride in our presentation, relationships,
had a recipe for success and this was clearly reflected in our
our school, learning and self. There is also a quote that is
results.
relevant to each and every one of us.
The feedback I’m receiving after two and a half terms in the
post also fills me with great pride. Children talk with pride “Time is an equal opportunity
about ‘their school’ and parents are taking the time to tell me employer. Each human being has
what they like about Al Yasmina School. We are pleasing most exactly the same number of hours
of the people, most of the time and delighting a lot of people a
and minutes each day. Rich people
lot of the time. This is evident from the feedback received at the
recent round of parent teacher consultations.
can’t buy more hours. Scientists
can’t invent new minutes. And
Staff are also a sense of pride for me. Our teachers and you can’t save time to spend it on
support staff are committed and driven; they are here to make another day.”
a difference and that is evident in everything they do. We have
been focusing on development plans and staff performance Enjoy the second half of the term. I said in my last column that
management targets and have been looking at how we can use this year would be the best ever. We’re right on track.
staff skill set to move the school forward.

3

october 2012/2013

AN ENTERPRISING
APPROACH
Mr Dube says while the early focus was on making money, the
team is also exploring how they can support local charities. The
programme facilitators also plan to tap in to the expertise of
the school’s parent body and have offers from several parents
who are prepared to give business advice. Aldar’s Marketing
Manager will also talk to the students about developing
marketing strategies. Mr Dube says the Enterprise programme
will be extended across the secondary school next year and will
eventually become a whole school initiative. He also hopes it
will be taken on board by all Aldar schools. “We are really keen
for the whole school to think enterprise and for students to
develop the life skills, communication and interpersonal skills,
along with increased self confidence, as they work their way
through the different stages of their business,” he says.

AROUND THE BOARD TABLE: Students meet to discuss their business
plan with the Head of School, Mr Gale. Karim Saleh Abdel Latif (left),

JAZMANIA SETS
Mitchell Keel, Ahmed Aman, Mr Gale, Faisal Ali, Dalia Audhali and
Rameez Ansari

Suit jackets buttoned, ties adjusted and briefcases snapped
SIGHTS ON T-SHIRT
BUSINESS
shut, the young executives entered the meeting room. After a
round of handshakes and introductions, they sat at the meeting
table, ready to talk to the Head of School, Mr Gale, about their
business proposition.
Students in the Enterprise programme have established two
companies. The first, Jazmania, plans to sell a range of t-shirts
The meeting was arranged by Year 12 Business Studies
which will be printed with different designs. They will have a
students who are taking part in the Enterprise programme,
range of set designs but will also offer a bespoke service for
an initiative that gives them the chance to run their own
customers who want individual designs. The t-shirts will be
business and exposes them to all the realities and challenges
printed by the school’s uniform shop. The company will sell the
of the business world. Working in teams, the students are
t-shirts from a stall at the Festive Fayre on December 8.
involved in every stage of business development, ranging
from managing production and finances, organising sales and
marketing campaigns and liaising directly with customers. “We are really keen for the whole
“The students gain real-life, hands-on business experience and school to think enterprise and for
can put into practice what they learn in the classroom,” says
Curriculum Team Leader for Business Enterprise and Learning students to develop the life skills,
Technologies, Mr Dube, who is facilitating the programme with communication and interpersonal
ICT teacher Mrs Eaves. skills, along with increased self
He says the students are very enthusiastic about the enterprise
confidence..."
programme. They began by watching an episode of the
television programme The Dragons’ Den, where entrepreneurs
pitch their business ideas to millionaires willing to invest
their own cash. Next was a brain storming session and mind
mapping to come up with different business ideas. Mr Dube
says the students are encouraged to manufacture products or
add value to existing products, rather than just buying items
and selling them on.

“It’s interesting to see the different viewpoints and how the
students find some areas of common ground. There is slight
conflict, but in a very healthy way and the students are learning
how to overcome that. What we expect to see as the project
develops are high levels of innovation and ingenuity.”

"What we expect to see as the
project develops are high levels of BUSINESSMEN: Karim Saleh Abdel Latif (left), Mitchell Keel, Ahmed
innovation and ingenuity.” Aman
4

october 2012/2013

THE JAZMANIA TEAM
They will also use Facebook to attract customers. The
As company director, Dalia Audhali knows that the buck stops
employees eventually plan to expand the business to include
with her. She is aware of her directorial responsibilities and
clothing which they will design and manufacture. Laura, who is
says she will be firm but fair in her approach. “My job is to lead
the Chief Executive, says the company will begin with jewellery
the company and the discussions, make sure we are doing
and expand once it has a solid base of loyal customers.
everything on time and on schedule, that we have a product and
a name for product and know where we are going to get the
The company sources some items for its jewellery locally, and
product - in other words, all the aspects of running a business,”
also imports beads, ribbons and other items from Canada,
she says. “I will also make sure employers are turning up for
Korea and London. Some items have been purchased on e-bay.
meetings, are motivated, are contributing and are doing their
Every employee is involved in the creative process, working
job. In our business, everyone participates. Every week we need
under the guidance of Yea In, the company’s Creative Director,
to make sure that everyone has done their job for the week, and
who says the name of each collection will reflect the individual
my role is to make sure they are doing that.”
who put it together. The company has already developed a
signature bracelet which features faux pearls on a velvet band.

“We will all collaborate on the first collection, but will then
focus on individual collections,” Laura says. “We all have
different styles and this gives us the ability to target a lot of
different tastes in the market. Some of our collections are
vintage while others use more edgy designs featuring spikes
and beads with skulls on them.”

The students say they will interact with other jewellery
designers via the company blog, giving items to other fashion
READY FOR BUSINESS: Administrator Karim Saleh (left), Company and jewellery bloggers who in turn write about the company and
Director, Dalia Audhali and Creative Director, Rameez Ansari
its products. They also have a private Facebook site where they
can interact with each other and exchange ideas.
Administrator Karim Saleh knows that the attention to detail
required of his role will be crucial to the efficient running of the Yea In says her role in the company is an extension of what she
company. “I will organise agendas for our business meetings enjoys as a hobby. “This is what I do in my spare time and I am
and prepare outlines for proposals. I need to make sure things always thinking about what I can design,” she says. “As Creative
are running smoothly so will be applying common sense and Director I will always also need to be thinking about innovation.”
using my organisational skills. I will be the person who is the Laura says as CEO she will have to ensure staff stay motivated.
point of contact with the uniform shop and will also be working “If anyone wants to join the business they have to prove what
closely with the Finance Director.” they can do to make this a better business or how they can help
promote it,” she says. “Yea In knows what she is doing, she is
Artistic Director Rameez Ansari’s designs will be used on the very creative and organised so I don’t have to tell her to do this,
t-shirts being sold by the company. “I am concentrating on the she organises herself. In this company we want people who we
t-shirt design, on the creative side of the business. I need to can depend on without having to nag them.”
produce some set designs which will sell for a fixed price and
I will also need to interpret ideas from customers who want Clara has been appointed the company administrator, Hiba is in
a personalised design.” He will be working closely with the charge of business development and Anissa will take care of the
Marketing Manager to ensure the company has a presence on finances. The students plan to have a stall at the Feline Friends
Facebook and will be drawing up posters to ensure the business Christmas market at the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club on November
is being promoted and advertised around the school. 30 where they hope to recoup some of their setup costs.

JEWELLERY
COMPANY READY FOR
BRIGHT FUTURE
A jewellery manufacturing and design company, offering both
customised designs along with ranges produced by each of the
employees, has been established by the second group of Year
11 students. Yea In Lim, Laura Tibi, Clara Ziada, Hibah Hassan
and Anissa Johnson are the brains behind Of Petals and Pearls.
The students plan to sell their jewellery via a website that
will be attached to a fashion and lifestyle blog that Laura, the
JEWELLERY SUPPLIES: Laura Tibi (left), Yea In Lim, Hibah Hassan and
company’s Chief Executive, established in August. Clara Ziada
5

october 2012/2013

AL YASMINA NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS
Organisers of the celebrations to mark the 41st UAE National Day on 29 November at Al Yasmina School are hoping the event will be
even more successful than last year, when a host of activities were held to mark the 40th anniversary of the union. Curriculum Team
Leader for Arabic, Islamic and UAE Social Studies, Mr Abu Saleh, says the scope of activities last year were particularly pleasing for the
community of UAE Nationals at the school and many were visibly moved to see their culture taking centre stage.

The community wants to build on the success of the celebrations last year and a group of Arabic parents are joining FOY (Friends of
Al Yasmina) to help organise the programme of activities this year. They will help source traditional dancers, decorations, flags, and
will bring in artifacts from their homes and farms which will be sold at a charity bazaar offering traditional food, heritage items and
handicrafts. Mr Abu Saleh says the format for the day will be similar to last year, with a students’ parade, an operetta, Yola dancing,
which is performed by the men, and Na’sh dancing in which girls swish their hair from side to side as they dance.

Secondary students will deliver key note speeches, read Nabaitiy poems and take part in flag raising and oath taking activities. Oath
taking is particularly significant for UAE Nationals. It will be recited mainly by Emirati students and other native Arabic speakers and
testifies to their pride in the Union, loyalty to the leaders and a commitment to fulfill their aspirations and dreams by making sacrifices
to ensuring the safety, security and sovereignty of the UAE.

A CELEBRATION FOR A NATION
National Day is for everybody in the UAE, regardless of where they are from, Mr Abu Saleh says. Taking part in the celebrations gives
people an opportunity to appreciate the heritage of the UAE and to increase their awareness of the culture of the Emirates which he
says represents a "unique model of cross-cultural harmony, peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance."

“The host country provides facilities for everyone to live here peacefully and happily,” Mr Abu Saleh says. “National Day is an
opportunity to express gratitude to the leaders who provide equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their religion or nationality.
The expats make up the largest group in the country so they are the biggest beneficiary of everything that is good in the country. The
UAE is the fastest developing country in the region and the UAE Nationals are optimistic about their future. On National Day we can all
celebrate the achievements of the country.”
6

october 2012/2013

CAREERS ADVISOR CASTS EYE OVER UNIVERSITY
APPLICATIONS
Year 13 students have received expert
advice from a careers advisor on how to
market CVs and personal statements for
their UCAS applications. All applications to
higher education in the UK, Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland are done through
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions
Services ) which processes university
applications. Students complete an online
application, create a CV and write a personal
statement.

Mrs Howell has had one-to-one sessions
with all Year 13 students and says most
personal statements are in good shape but
many students needed to focus more on
the marketing and presentation side of the
documents. “Most of the students are selling
themselves properly and have outlined their
achievements and their transferable skills,
so the main content is there, but they need
to ensure they are presenting this in the best
possible light,” she says. Mrs Howell also
urged the students to think about where their
higher education might take them. CAREER DIRECTION: Careers advisor Mrs Howell talks to Year 13 student Jess Vickery

“I want to make them think about what they would be doing in three or four years time when they finish their degrees so I
encouraged them to think long term. It’s important that they do this before they start their degree so they can make any changes
now. A lot of students do a degree because they think it is the right thing to do, but don’t know where it is going to take them and are
unsure about exactly what skills they will acquire during their studies to achieve their end goal.” Mrs Howell has worked in the UK
with secondary students of all age groups, with adults wanting professional qualifications, and with people whose roles have been
made redundant.

A COORDINATED APPROACH TO CAREERS ADVICE
Students with questions about career and higher/further Other career-based initiatives in the secondary school include:
education options can now find answers right on their doorstep.
English teacher Miss Ariff has been newly appointed to the role • careers-centred lessons are being delivered through
of providing careers advice as part of the recent restructuring the secondary school’s PSHCEE (personal, social,
at the school. She is responsible for coordinating careers health, citizenship and economic education)
advice and activities and has an open door careers session each programme for Year 11 students. A version of this may
Tuesday after school for secondary students. Her current focus also be introduced for Year 8
is on the school’s Post-16 students. • on-line careers assessments
• work sampling day for Year 7 students to introduce
Representatives from Reading, Southampton and Warwick them to a working environment
universities have spoken to the Post-16 students and this month • work experience for Year 10 students
a delegation from Abu Dhabi University will address the group. • work placement for Post-16 students over the summer
Miss Ariff is also collating information for students planning to • mock job interview process for Year 9 students
attend university in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, • a day for Year 10 students which focuses on business
New Zealand and the US, where admittance procedures differ presentation skills.
from the UK.

She also hopes to be in a position to offer advice to families who
are not resident in the UK but who wish their children to attend yariff@alyasmina.sch.ae
UK universities. Miss Ariff says from January she will introduce
a careers-related programme for students in KS 3 and 4.
7

SCIENCE FAIR
AL YASMINA SCHOOL
By Sally Zeidan
Year 8 Hatta issue 2
october 2012/2013

Took place on 16 October
at ADNEC

We learned the
importance of
science in our
lives and how
the world
would be
hopeless
without it

The most exciting activity we did was dissecting
a camel’s eye

The science festival was a
fantastic experience

We discovered and explored information in an
entertaining way

october 2012/2013

SOURCE-BASED FOCUS FOR YEAR 13
HISTORY STUDENTS

HISTORIANS: Brandon Rowland (left) Chelsea Lawson, Alistair Mains, Chloe Moss, Haas Al Mashani, Khalifa Saleh and Jon Alexander

Year 13 students who have chosen History as an A level subject are increasing their analytical knowledge
and further developing the critical thinking skills they will need for their university studies. Subject Leader
for History, Mrs Hodgson, says the subject provides students with important skills that will be of great value
as they embark on their higher education and future studies. "History students learn to absorb, analyse and
assess a wide variety of information and viewpoints, to express arguments in oral and written form, and to think
and work both independently and in co-operation with others," she says. "This means History students acquire
skills which are valued by employers in all fields. Learning about the past also enables students to come to a
better understanding of the present."

The A2 History students have two double History periods twice a week with Mrs Hodgson and a double period
once a week with History teacher Ms Natschowny. They are focusing on 20th century international relations
from 1879-1980, examining the changing relationships between the powers and the ways in which this affected
the balance of power throughout this period. They are concentrating on Germany between 1900 and 1945,
analysing the development of Hitler's dictatorship and the fall of the Kaiser and the Weimar Republic.

The students will look carefully at Germany in peace and war and the tragic evolution of the culturally
sophisticated and economically impressive Second Reich into the Third Reich via the Weimar Republic, Mrs
Hodgson says. "This unit is a study in depth and requires a firm understanding both of the selected chronology
and of key issues, problems and debates associated with it."

CHOOSING HISTORY FOR PRESENT DAY
ADVANTAGE
History will be one of the subjects Jon Alexander will study at "We did Germany history in Year 11 but we are now going into
university before heading for a career in military aviation or in things in a lot more depth, using a different writing style and
the infantry, and he says learning "what went on before will analysing sources so it's a lot harder."
come in handy." He says enjoys studying what he describes as
a particularly volatile time in History. "It is different from GCSE Brandon Rowland plans to be a History teacher. He describes the
in terms of skills. It's a lot more advanced and we have to be a Year 13 syllabus as fun, but difficult. "The Cold war and the naval
lot more concise and can't waffle, but in terms of what we are arms race are all topics I enjoy," he says. "The biggest change
studying there is lot of familiar ground. But I like the fact we are compared to previous years is having to write in a more concise
going into the subject in a lot more depth." manner, making every word count and using source-based
material." Brandon says he enjoys German history and is able to
Chloe Moss decided to take History because she really enjoyed make use of what he learnt during the school History trip to Berlin
the subject in Year 12. She plans to be a PE teacher and says when he was in Year 11.
her History studies will further develop her analytical and essay
writing skills. 9

october 2012/2013

HISTORY IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Students will study the following topics this year:

Year 7 Year 10
What is History? Causes of WW1
Medieval Times The Peace Settlement 1918
The Cold war
Year 8 Germany 1918 -1939
The Tudors
Native Americans Year 11
Germany from 1918-1939
Year 9 USA 1945 - 1970
Industrial revolution
Slavery Post-16
The Battle of Somme Germany from 1900-1945
The Cold War 1945 - 1990

HISTORY BECOMES PERSONAL FOR YEAR 7
STUDENTS
Year 7 students have begun their History studies by examining
their own pasts. They have produced timelines in a comic strip
style to show significant events in their lives. Year 7 History
teacher Mrs Wood says the students were asked to chose six
major events in their lives and complete a timeline by drawing
these events, writing about them or using photos. The exercise
enabled to students to look at chronology, evidence, sources
and what bias means in History.

"The students did very well in recording the important events
in their lives, but most were not precise about when these
events occurred," Mrs Wood says. "We will work on them being
more specific, which is a skill they will master as their studies
progress." Students were also asked to bring in pieces of
evidence about themselves and their classmates had to write
about what these items said about their fellow students. The
class was flooded with memorabilia as the students brought in
mementoes from their past. For Lotte De Rooy, it was a cup she
received in a sailing competition. "I've given up sailing now but
it reminds me of what I did achieve when I used to sail a lot,"
she says.

H History in the secondary school
Students will study the following topics this year:
Year 7

MEMORABILIA: Lotte De Rooy with her sailing cup.
10

october 2012/2013

PASTORAL FOCUS FOR YEAR 7

BOXING ON: Reem Ibasais (left) and Jamie Queen with the 86 boxes filled as part of the Box Appeal charity campaign.

Each issue of The Secondary PARTnership will focus on a
different secondary year group. In this issue we look at Year 7.

Comprehensive support measures are in place to ensure that Goals and target setting are a focus for Year 7 students this
the transition from primary to secondary school is a smooth one term. They are encouraged to meet manageable, smaller goals
for Al Yasmina’s Year 7 students. Year 7 Leader Miss Macleod each week and as a group worked together towards a bigger
says the move into the secondary school is an exciting one for goal of organising the box appeal this year. A total of 86 boxes
the students who feel more grown up with their own lockers, were filled and will be donated to the city’s labourers. Other
secondary school uniform and specialist teachers. Although ideas include organising a fundraising event to support the
they are the youngest students in the secondary school they are World Challenge students. The Year 7 students will also have
every bit as important as the older students, and this message the opportunity to forge relationships with the school’s Year
is reinforced in Year 7 assemblies, Miss Macleod says. 12 in a peer mentoring scheme which is part of the Year 12
community service award. This scheme gives the older students
The mentor group structure is particularly important for Year an opportunity to undertake volunteer activities in the school
7 students. Registration and PSCHEE lessons are delivered and the wider community.
via mentor groups. The Year 7 students have decorated display
boards in their rooms with pictures of themselves, giving A buddy system has been established, allowing the six Year 12
information on where they have come from and their personal students in the CSA scheme to work alongside Year 7 students
targets. This lead to a healthy competition between each of the who may need extra help with organisation or support with
six Year 7 mentor groups for the best boards, Miss Macleod homework or other issues during PSCHEE. This scheme was
says. introduced to students at a Year 7 assembly. “A lot of issues
can be worked through with the help of an older student,”
“For this Year group the pastoral side is just as important as Miss Macleod says. “We have also put a suggestion box in each
their subject learning so in PSCHEE lessons we are focusing on mentor group and Year 7 students who have any concerns
what their issues might be and being in tune with anything that can write them down, put them in the box and then the Year
the students want to discuss,” she says. 12 students can take charge and sit down with the younger
students to work through these issues.” 11

october 2012/2013

WRITING FROM THE FARIS’S POEM
HEART
Once a young child sat with his dad with a map on his
lap
Year 10 student Faris Al Nahdi was five-years-old when he met Found land shaped like a kangaroo and asked
His Highness Sheikh Zayed at a horse riding competition in “Where’s that?” pointing at the map.
Egypt. Faris has no memory of the meeting and relies on the “I don’t know,” he answered, “I don’t know.”
photographs of them together as evidence of his encounter with
the Father of the Nation. So when he was asked to write a poem Down in the Middle East, where nothing grew
at school for National Poetry Day, Faris did what he always does Sat a leader looking at the view
- he turned to HH Sheikh Zayed for inspiration. “One day this place will be a beauty,” said this wise
leader, “One day this place will be a beauty.”
“We had to plan and write a poem but mine was already in
my heart,” Faris says. “Sheikh Zayed is the inspiration for Sand blew from west to east
everything I do, all I had to do was write it on paper. He is my The trees left stood like a beast
greatest inspiration because of everything he has done and “This place is dead,” said the British, trying to find
his beautiful vision for this country.” Faris writes poetry for resources for WWII, “This place is dead.”
pleasure and recites it to his family. Visiting relatives often
ask to hear his latest compositions. “All I need to do is think of Then came a son of a son
Sheikh Zayed, my favourite hero, and that will motivate me to Who grew up in the sand under the sun
write a poem,” he says “This child will be great,” said his father, “This child
will be great.”

He was young, he was wise
His wisdom slowly rose
“This child will be a great ruler,” said his father, “this
child will be a great ruler.”

Started with Al Ain, slowly to the big city
Turned a big city, green and pretty
“It’s a dead country,” they said, “It’s a dead country.”
Under the sun, he had a dream
That all the cities nearby became a team
“That was when the union started,” announced UAE,
“That was when the union started.”

Once unknown
Now known
Took 20 years, or less, took 20 years

We have power, we have fame
He created us a patriotic name
Emirati we call our self, proudly, Emirati we call our
self

Now the richest, strongest and the best
POET: Faris Al Nahdi recites his poem about HH Sheikh Zayed. He accomplished a dream, he accomplished a quest
“You taught me well,” as this wise ruler looked down
in his father’s grave, “You taught me well.”

Broke records locally and worldwide
“All I need to do is think of Sheikh We’re proud to have this pride
Zayed, my favourite hero, and that “Is this still a dead country?” I asked. “Is this still a
dead country?”
will motivate me to write a poem.”
In 2004 thunder struck
Turned all our hearts into muck
Rest in peace, great one, rest in peace.

Now we have the biggest tower, we have the biggest
mall
Now this country will never fall
His name was Sheikh Zayed, rest in peace great one,
his name was Sheikh Zayed. 12

october 2012/2013

EXAMINATION OFFICER FAQ
LEAVES NO ROOM FOR
ERROR Can I get a copy of my exam paper?
Yes. Every student who has sat an exam paper may request a
copy of that paper. There is a deadline for paper requests for
Al Yasmina School has appointed an Examination Officer to each exam series - ie November, January, March and June. This
oversee the organisation of the school’s GCSE, A level and BTEC year, the deadline for the summer series was September 20.
examinations. Mrs Gale’s responsibilities range from educating
students about exam protocol to managing the enrolment Do I pay for this?
process, analysing data and handling queries after the exam The cost of getting a paper returned varies by subject, but it is
results have been received. Her key responsibilities include around 100dhs per written paper or module sat.
registering the details of all students in Years 10-13 who are
sitting GCSE and A level exams with Edexcel, the school’s exam If I opt for a resit, and I did better in the first exam paper
board, liaising with Curriculum Team Leaders over programmes than in my second attempt, can I choose the better of the two
of study, producing exam timetables and ensuring all fees are grades?
paid on time. Mrs Gale also liaises with ADEC to ensure exam Edexcel will take the best mark of any units sat at A Level and
results are approved and registered. GCSE. However, if you resit and re-aggregate a whole GCSE
they take the most recent grade.
Another important part of her role is keeping up-to-date with
Edexcel course changes and ensuring these are communicated Is there anything on my resit result that indicates I sat the
to Curriculum Team Leaders. Edexcel has a regional office in exam more than once?
Dubai and Mrs Gale works with the exam board’s coordinator The provisional statements of results after each exam series
for the region and the account advisor in London. “Each year will show all attempts, the final certificates show only the final
Edexcel sends us up-to-date information on the courses aggregated grade.
changes, specifications and new opportunities, so I make sure
teachers can access this information,” Mrs Gale says. I’ve heard that if I go for a remark on my exam paper that the
mark can only go up, not down - is this true?
There are 3 things that can happen:
examinationofficer@alyasmina.sch.ae
1. Your original mark is confirmed as correct and there is
no change to your grade.
2. Your original mark is raised so your final grade may be
higher than the original grade you received.
3. Your original mark is lowered and may or may not
affect your original grade (it is recommended to ask for
re-mark if within 3 marks of the next grade so a loss of
1 or 2 marks would not usually result in a grade
change)

I’ve heard that there are some changes to the GCSE exams.
What are these, and how will it affect Al Yasmina students?
Maths is moving to a linear course which means current Year
10 students will sit their final exam in Summer 2014. Other
subjects, including ICT and Business, are changing from IGCSE
to GCSE and will be modular courses, examined throughout the
year.

Why is it important that my name on my passport matches the
name on my examination papers?
Because when applying for university or college places or at a
job interview, you will be asked for a copy of your passport and
this will need to match against the name that appears on your
exam certificates. It can potentially create many difficulties
if the name on both documents differ. Also, ADEC requires
the passport name to exactly match school exam results
documentation.

Can I re-sit in any exam session?
Some subjects are available in November, January, March and
June others in June only. The availability can be checked with
the Examination Officer or the student’s subject teacher.

EXAMINATION RESPONSIBILITY: Al Yasmina School’s Examination
Officer, Mrs Gale.
13

october 2012/2013

SEARCHING FOR “This allows students to put up reports, link through to different internet
sites, and create an online forum so they can collaborate and teach each

SANTA other,” Mrs Dunn says. “They can update and modify the material as they
wish and upload it to their group so everybody in the Year 11 ICT group can
then also access it. They can also invite people from other groups to view
their work. It will be a continuous buildup of the students’ resources.”
FOY is looking for a volunteer to fill the role of Santa at the Festive Fayre on
December 8. “It will involve about an hour of someone’s time and will make Emails are the first part of the package to be implemented and the
a lot children very happy,” FOY Chair Mrs Loftus says. “We would also like interactive components will be in place shortly. Once the system is robust,
to hear from anyone who can lend us a Santa suit for the day.” The Festive Miss Dunn says it will be introduced gradually into the secondary school,
Fayre is being held in the school grounds on December 8 from 11am to one year group at a time. The aim is for each Year group to have their own
2pm, and organisation for the event is in full swing. Volunteers are still area and within that Year group every subject will also have its own space.
needed. Anyone who can run a stall or can help with organisation before the
event can email justine2h@hotmail.com

FOY would like to hear from parents who are interested in purchasing fresh NEW LOOK FOR ICT
vegetables via the school. The group is considering a partnership with the
Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre, an organisation that distributes food
from local farms. If the scheme is introduced, Al Yasmina families could
CURRICULUM
submit weekly or monthly orders, with cash payment, for fresh vegetables The secondary school’s ICT curriculum has been revamped to make it
or a soup or salad mixed box in either 2kg, 5kg or 7kg weights. Produce is more relevant, modern, enriching and engaging. Students will look at real
fresh and prices reasonable, with all funds received used to benefit local world applications and learn more about how they work, increasing their
farmers and FOY for the benefit of Al Yasmina students. “At this point, base knowledge which in turn will raise attainment levels. There will be
we are simply gauging interest to see if this is a worthwhile venture,” Mrs lots of interactive and animation-based projects and a focus on up-to-date,
Loftus says. “Boxes would be delivered weekly to the school atrium at relevant learning.
parent pick up time. Parents would be responsible for picking up their box
on the designated day/time and signing for it.” Register your interest by
emailing foyveg@hotmail.com.

FOY is still looking for a parent willing to take on the role of FOY secretary. MR RICHARDS’
Please email Mrs Loftus if you are interested in joining FOY or need more
information on the role.The next FOY meeting is on Monday 26 November at MATHEMATICAL
8am in the old uniform shop, ground level, off the atrium.

Key dates:
CHALLENGE
26 November - Next FOY meeting From many correct entries Zaid Al-Qaimi drawn at random provided the
29 November - National Day correct answer of 5, simply adding the top and bottom row.
8 December - Festive Fayre

1 3 3 5 4

INTERACTIVE 5 6 8 7 ?

LEARNING TOOL 4 3 5 2 1

FOR YEAR 11 ICT This month’s challenge may cause a few problems. Using only the

STUDENTS numbers 1 to 6 can you make each “leg” of the L shape add up to the same
number?
I have provided one solution there are two more…

Year 11 ICT students are trialing a new software package that
allows them to collaborate online with their classmates using web
conferencing, group videos, emails and voice chat. If the project
6
is successful, the ICT department plans to introduce it across the
secondary school. 2
ICT teacher Mrs Dunn says Office 365 runs on all PCs and Apple
computers, smart phones, android phones and Blackberries, 1
enabling students to stay in touch with each other through what is
essentially a virtual learning environment.
3 5 4
Students can carry out group work from remote locations using
the tools available in the software package. Typically they might
upload and download documents and use messaging, video Please email your answers.
conferencing and file sharing to complete tasks set by the teacher. The solution and the person who solved it correctly will be published next
The information can be uploaded to a blog or Wikispace. month.
crichards@alyasmina.sch.ae 14

october 2012/2013

READING PROGRAMME OFF TO A GOOD START
Secondary librarians have catalogued books
for the Accelerated Reading Programme and
students have been through the initial round of
testing. The programme is designed to improve
the reading abilities of students and encourage
a life-long love of reading. Year 7 students are
the first to participate in the scheme, which
will be introduced across the secondary school
next year. The on-line assessment provides
information on the student’s overall reading
ability and suggests a range of book levels for
each student. Teachers then meet with each
student to set individualised reading practice
goals and monitor progress as the students
work towards these goals.

Aran Quintana returned a perfect score after
his on-line test. The avid reader answered
questions on The Spooks’ Stories (Witches) by
Joseph Delaney, which he describes as a “good
combination of fantasy and comedy, which work
well together.” Aran couldn’t say exactly how
many books he would typically read in a week.
“If I’ve got seven books, then maybe seven,”
he says. After they finish their books, students
take part in a quiz to test their comprehension
level. Points are awarded to students each time
they win a quiz and these points are exchanged
for prizes.

AVID READER: Aran Quintana (left) with the book he was quizzed on, and (right) Reem Ibasais chooses a book for the accelerated reading programme.

EMIRATES LITFEST WRITING COMPETITIONS
Calling all budding poets and authors - the Emirates Festival of Literature is next March, but entries for story writing and poetry competitions close later this
month. Students can submit a poem exploring the LitFest theme of “Heroes and Villains” or write a story about “Seeking the Truth.” Entries for both categories
close on November 25. To submit your entry, and for further information, see www.emirateslitfest.com

15

october 2012/2013

NEW HORSE RIDING A MUSICAL END TO
CLUB FOR SECONDARY EACH MONTH
SCHOOL
A group of eight secondary students have become the first to
join the Al Yasmina Equestrian Club. The novice riders have
begun lessons at the Al Forsan Equestrian Club and the club
coordinator, FS1 teacher Ms O’Farrell says another eight
students come on board in December. Lessons are in five
week blocks and each session is 30 minutes long. Ms O’Farrell
says giving students the opportunity to take a short number of
lessons initially gives them the chance to see if horse riding is
a hobby they want to pursue before making a longer financial
commitment.

The first group of students are in Years 6-10. Ms O’Farrell,
who has a Certificate in Breeding and Horsemanship from
an equestrian college in Ireland and has taught riding for 10
years, assists the Al Forsan instructor. She says the students
learn to ride fairly quickly. “By the end of five weeks the
students should be confident on their horses, will have learned
to maintain proper posture on the horse and will be able to get
their ponies to walk, trot, canter and go over small jumps,” she
says.

Students pay 500dhs for a block of five lessons. Bus
transportation is provided by the school to the equestrian
centre in Khalifa A and Al Forsan has waived the normal entry
fee into the resort. Members of the school’s equestrian club
also receive a discount from Al Forsan’s shop and discounted
entry to events at the resort. Ms O’Farrell says if the students
in the first groups decide to continue with horse riding and
advance to intermediate and advanced levels then the school
will be able to offer riding lessons across the ability range. The
equestrian club is on Wednesdays from 2.45pm. Students are
back at school by 4pm. All the gear is provided by the centre,
but students need to bring a long-sleeved top, long pants and
closed shoes. Secondary students interested in joining the club
from January should email Ms O’Farrell.

cofarrell@alyasmina.sch.ae

Don’t miss the opportunity for a musical interlude on the last
Thursday of each month. The school’s talented musicians
perform at an after school concert, showcasing a range
of different instruments and musical styles, ranging from
electric guitar to the flute and a range of brass instruments.
The performance helps students get used to performing in
front of an audience. The concert is held in the old uniform
shop, on the ground floor of the school just off the atrium.
Note: The concert was held early this month because of half
term. The next performance is Thursday, November 29, at
2.45pm.

HORSEMANSHIP: Year 9 student and Al Yasmina Equestrian Club member
Amro Luqman puts his horse through its paces.

16

october 2012/2013

DISCOVERY TAKES OFF HOUSE SYSTEM
EXPANDS
Discovery has taken the lead in the House competitions after
students put their sporting prowess to the test just before half THROUGHOUT
term break with boys’ football and girls’ netball competitions.
Director of Sport Mr Smith says the tournaments were all close SECONDARY SCHOOL
affairs and were played in good spirit with a healthy dose of
competitiveness. “Thanks to both staff and students for ensuring
the House competition started in true Al Yasmina style,” he says. The House system is about to hit the classroom, beginning this
The next activities on the House sporting calendar are athletics and term with English, Maths and Science competitions for Year 10
swimming. and 11 students. “Look for inter classroom chess competitions,
Olympic-style maths quizzes, and Shakespeare spot prizes,” says
Overall Standings for term 1: Director of Sport, Mr Smith. “The idea is to extend the same fun,
competitive element that we have in House sports through to all
other areas of learning.”
Year 7 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Football Voyager Challenger Discovery Endeavour The new House system will extend across all KS3 subjects next
Netball Discovery Voyager Challenger Endeavour term and Post-16 students will come on board in the third term.
House points and bonus points will be awarded during the year and
Year 8 1st 2nd 3rd 4th the winning House announced at the end of each year. Students
Football Challenger Voyager Endeavour Discovery have to apply for roles as House captains and House leaders, Mr
Smith says and he is currently sifting through around 70 written
Netball Discovery Endeavour Voyager Challenger applications. Appointees will be featured in the next Secondary
Year 9 1st 2nd 3rd 4th PARTnership.
Football Discovery Challenger Endeavour Voyager
“We’re hoping that students will bring the enthusiasm and
Netball Endeavour Discovery Voyager Challenger competitiveness they have on the sporting field to the classroom,”
Mr Smith says. “We know we are going to get the same eagerness
to compete and desire to uphold the school’s motto of pride,
Football Discovery Voyager Endeavour Challenger aspiration, respect and trust.”
Netball Voyager Discovery Challenger Endeavour
Football Voyager Endeavour Discovery Challenger
Netball Challenger Endeavour Discovery Voyager

17

october 2012/2013

NEW SECONDARY STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTED
Student Voice representatives have been elected, and
their first job is to come up with a new name for the
group. Ideas so far include The Voice of Al Yasmina,
Student Committee and PARTicipation Group. The
students will also nominate a Chairperson, Vice
Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Student Voice coordinator Mrs Hewitt says these
positions of responsibility will rotate each term.
This year every Learning Mentor group has one
representative on Student Voice and all representatives
will attend a fortnightly meeting to ensure that each
Learning Mentor group has a ‘voice’, she says. The next
meeting is period five, Thursday November 8. “We are
still in the early stages of discussing our plans for the
year but so far the students are very enthusiastic about
working in conjunction with the primary school council,
improving the atrium, planning celebration and charity
days, improving the school’s environmental impact and
improving communication within school,” she says.

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Butinah –Katya Ayass Siji-Nicole Gross Jaziera- tbc Sidra-tbc
Maryah-Fatima Anani Tayyibah-Abdullah Al Mazrouei Khaladiya- Chris Lincoln Khannour- Katha Toma
Delma-Matthew Pretorius Bih-James Ensor Muroor-Tina Kamel Yasmina-Salem Al Shamsi
Yas-Ibrahim Al Mokatash Galeelah-Micheal Franks Safarat-Ramya Iyer Muzeera-Eliel Ponen
Futaisi-Sumayah Yousaf Hatta-Rachel Foulsham Gurm-Geethma Kaunatileke Qattouf – Tehara Moonemalle
Reem-Kayan Khraisheh Mardi-Aurore Queromain Hamdan-Areeb Ansari
Year 11 Year 12 Year 13
Jahili-Yash Bhatia Nayhan-Nicola Burgess Zayed-Post 16 leadership team on a rota
Fahidi-Clara Ziada Maktoum – Thomas Willcoxson- Khalifa-Post 16 leadership team on a rota
Bushaq-Mohmmmad Shahrour/ Staines
Anissa Johnson
Husn-Mallory de Man

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Back from left: Maddie Korff (Music), Nour Barjes (French), Zain Mustafa (Drama),Tejas Menon (ICT), Mohamed Al Hashmi (Arabic native), Rowan Smith
(Arabic non-native), Shan Coley (History), Kelsi Friedenthal (Science)
Front from left: Roxy Gardiner (Geography & Spanish), Mr Gale (Head of School), Kieran Moss (DT), Salmaan Mohammad (Islamic Studies non-native), Dana
Nasser (Islamic Studies -native)
Not pictured: Fadhel Barakat (UAE Social Studies), Khamis Al Hinai (Maths), Karim Saleh Abdel Latif (Business & Economics), Shahmir Khan (English),
Stephanie Lepouras (Psychology), Jake Hughes (PE), Liam Troup (Art) 18

HALLOWEEN BAKE SALE
october 2012/2013

Cakes, cookies and muffins with a
Halloween theme filled the atrium
yesterday in a bake sale organised by
Post-16 World Challenge students. The
baking, which was donated by parents,
was sold after school to hoards of hungry
students. Duke of Edinburgh Award
Coordinator Ms Stephenson says the bake
sale raised dhs 5200. “Thanks to everyone
who contributed,” she says.
19

Sp oct

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