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How UAE schools are working to do things differently this year

One school, for instance, wants parents to have a strong voice in their school advisory board.

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Increased parent involvement, focusing on teaching the Arabic language or growing organic food within school - these are just some of the new academic year resolutions the UAE schools have taken on.
Khaleej Times spoke to three different schools on their new school year resolutions and all of them have made significant changes to help improve the quality of education for students.
One school, for instance, wants parents to have a strong voice in their school advisory board. They are encouraging for more parent involvement this new school year.
"GEMS FirstPoint School aims to be 'a local school in a global setting' and as such our intention this year is to be the central hub for our community in Dubailand," said Stephen Sharples. CEO and principal of GEMS FirstPoint School.
"We have strengthened the voice of our parents and invited local community, academic and industry representatives to join our local advisory board to further embed our presence in the community and to broaden opportunities for all of our students. 
"We have over 100 nationalities and work to make ourselves the first-choice British school in our community. We want all our students and parents to feel part of something special and to have a genuine stake in their community school. It is also our intention this year to focus the work of our parent council so that parents have a greater say in the curriculum and after school provision."
The school is also using the help of the technology this year to enhance communication methods between parents and teachers.
"Each year group now has its own 'organic garden', we have a new 'Village Green', doubled our IT provision and upgraded our green areas. We have focused teacher training on Arabic, Islamic Studies and English Language Support and built on our excellent special education needs (SEN) provision by adding more experienced staff and targeting additional resources in these important areas," Sharples said.
"We also have a new Y5-8 curriculum team who have designed a new learning model for middle school students, which are now taught in 'faculties', much like a university 1^st year model.  For example, our faculty of computing, enterprise and technology, allows students to access specialist teachers and facilities in business, robotics and computing and thus innovate, design and build their own projects using university grade tools, CAD/CAM software and machinery."
The GEMS Al Barsha National School has also taken up several new school year resolutions, including a greater focus on teaching the Arabic language to students.
It recently opened its boys' school from year 1 to year 9, which is located next to the girls' school. It offers a bilingual programme, which runs from FS1 to year 2.
"We will continue to build and improve the quality of Arabic classroom instruction and student learning to ensure our students learn to communicate in the local language fluently," said Lesley Isherwood, CEO and principal of GEMS Al Barsha.
"At the heart of our inspirational British-style curriculum across the two schools is an exceptionally strong focus on the development of happy bilingual and biliterate life-long learners, leaders and global citizens who also have a very strong understanding and appreciation of national identity, UAE culture, heritage and tradition."
Meanwhile, the GEMS Metropole School in Motor City has introduced a new 'non-negotiable policy' to their school, which focuses on dress standards, tolerance and attendance.
The school has 3,200 students and is aiming for a 98 per cent attendance record for each and every student.
"The non-negotiable is not just for the students, but also for the parents and staff. So, I think this is something new we've brought to the school this year," said Anthony Cashin, principal of GEMS Metropole School.

Intense training sessions for newly-joined teachers

The UAE schools are placing a greater focus on its teachers this new academic year, with improved training sessions during their induction week.
The schools have introduced new programmes and teachers have been given an in-depth training course on each new programme.
"During the teacher induction week at the end of August all of our primary staff undertook training in Maths Mastery and Accelerated reader programmes. Teacher feedback was very positive and look forward to seeing excellent progress made by learners," said Stephen Sharples, CEO and principal of GEMS FirstPoint School.
The GEMS Metropole School in Motor City had loads of new teachers joining this year, so they also had an intense induction week for the staff.
"We had new teachers who had came in three weeks before school started and we had a whole week of induction there," said Anthony Cashin, principal of GEMS Metropole School.
"Then, our returning teachers came in and we went over new technology that came into the school. We had two weeks of training. We've been extremely busy with all of our new staff coming in. Obviously, it's very important to get our teachers sorted first, so they can devote all of their time in the classrooms."
The number of teachers at the GEMS Al Barsha School has also grown as they've opened their new boys' school. They're investing more and more in new teachers and resources for the students.
"Our staff team has grown to support both our existing girls' school and our new boys' school. We have quadrupled our foundation stage (FS) provision and have experienced native speaking UK staff working along experienced native speaking Arabic staff in our bilingual programme which runs from FS1 - Y2. We have developed further our Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Studies curriculum, resources and staff team," said Lesley Isherwood, principal and CEO of GEMS Al Barsha.

Know 3Cs that parents must promote among children

(Tammy Murphy, Superintendent, Dubai American Academy)
The start of the school year is upon us and with it comes excitement for a promise of new beginnings.  Each summer and throughout the year, our children grow and develop before our eyes changing into young adults, fulfilling our hopes and dreams for them.
Consider these three C's as you prepare them for the transition from the lazy days of summer trips and long summer days to the grueling daily schedule of school.
Curiosity needs to be encouraged and promoted. Researchers from the University of California at Davis found in a recent study that "curiosity puts the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn, and also everything around it."
It is paramount to lifelong learning. Your own curiosity in their friends, their life and what they are learning will be contagious. Model life-long learning by talking to them about what you are learning at work or the gym or what you would like to take up as a hobby. The mind is a muscle that develops and strengthens with exercise and curiosity and learning is a pathway to a strong and healthy brain.  
Communication with your children and their teachers is key to a productive partnership. Your children will benefit most if you work in concert with their teachers.
Make the first move if you have questions, don't wait until the first parent-teacher conference as valuable time could be lost. Often, you as a parent can anticipate a problem or issue. Have the mindset of good intentions and approach the situation knowing that each teacher strives for success for their students. After two of you have made a plan, be sure to discuss this with your child in a developmentally appropriate way, including older students in the process. Then, follow through with what was decided as a plan for action.
Communication with your children about what they are thinking, learning and feeling. There are so many subtle opportunities to engage them in talking about their day. The ride to and from school is a great place to have a private conversation if you can get them off their phone! Be specific in your questions and follow up with an open prodding question. What happened in science today? What makes you say that? Don't settle for nothing much happened. We know that is not true. Often it is difficult for your child to frame all that happened over the last seven or eight hours. Use some probing questions to get them started and then hopefully the conversation will flow.
Commitment to this process will help to ensure a successful year for your children.  The hardest, yet most important, job I have ever had is being a parent. It is a job most of us take on woefully unprepared, but with all the illusion in the world.
We take our first steps as a parent learning from the wisdom and mistakes of our own parents, and develop our skills as we live vicariously through the dreams, missteps, and successes of our children. Stay the course, keep working at it and get better. Our children need the commitment to this process every day, so even with our busy lives, if a daily commitment seems too daunting; make a schedule, and keep that appointment.
The essential 3Cs
> Curiosity
> Communication
> Commitment

Must know

1) 92% parents call for food education in schools
2) 87% believe teaching children about healthy eating will create lifelong habits
3) 71% wanted to teach kids cooking which will help them make smarter food choices
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com