Dear Family,
Welcome to the eighth edition of our newsletter. There are only 79 days left until our school opens to children for the very first time. This week we have been thinking closely about how we are going to use the different spaces and areas of the school. We are also delighted that our FS2 class is already so popular we have had taken the decision to open a second FS2 class in September. Even though we started recruiting teachers in November we kept a list of people we would want to employ as we grow and we are delighted that somebody we interviewed a long time ago is now joining us.
Building Update
This week Kylie and I walked around the school to see the progress that has been made following the visit from KHDA last week which confirmed that we can officially start registering pupils as our construction program is so well advanced. In our visit we were pleased to see that windows, door frames and sinks are being installed, the false ceilings are nearly complete and the training swimming pool is now fully tiled! This is remarkable progress and a credit to the 3 teams of workers who are working tirelessly to ensure that our school is ready not on schedule, but ahead of schedule.
Staff Update
Bana Diab – Librarian
We are delighted to introduce Bana our school librarian.
Kylie says:
“We want Aquila children to develop a love of reading and as soon as we met Bana she knew she was right
for our school. Having five children of her own, Bana really understands the importance of reading and will be able to motivate all of our children. We have bought over 15,000 beautiful books to inspire and motivate the children.”
Bana says:
“I am delighted to join the Aquila team. As a mother of five, I understand the importance of creating the best possible environment for children to read, to love reading and to always ask for new books and new things to learn about. Reading is one of the most fundamental skills a child needs to learn to succeed in life. Developing good reading habits starts at school and is vital to children’s future not just academically, but in everyday life as well. I will do my best to ensure each child receives the support, encouragement and acknowledgement needed to cultivate the love of reading; and to develop a habit that will nourish their minds and pave their way to a bright future.”
Aquila News
A school for all children
We recognise that for families of children with specific learning difficulties, finding a school can be challenging. At The Aquila School, we want to be as inclusive as we can and therefore we are very pleased to have partnered with the Hemam centre, an organisation that provides specialist teaching and therapy for autistic children on a one to one basis. The Hemam centre already operates under the name Small Steps in two local schools and will have spaces for up to 11 children aged under eight to have specialist full time one to one therapy. One of the benefits of the Hemam Centre being based in our school is that the children can be integrated into mainstream classes, e.g. for an art lesson, where possible. For further details please contact Dr Moataz on 050 644 1274.
Preparing for September
We have met with a number of photography companies and have arranged for the children to have their individual photograph taken on the very first-week school opens. They will also take photographs of all of our staff which will be uploaded onto our website so you can get to know our growing staff.
All of our enrolled families will have now received a copy of our family handbook, this contains details on the day to day running of our busy school. During the second week of term, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher during the Parent Information Meeting. During this meeting, you will also
be given a copy of our Learning at The Aquila School handbook which goes into more detail on the subjects covered and how you can support your child at home.
Mother Baby & Child Awards
We are truly honoured to have been nominated in the Mother, Baby & Child Awards 2018 for the ‘New School of the Year’ category! Click here to vote for us.
Pass the message onto your friends!
Recommend us to your friends!
At The Aquila School, we recognise that parents and friends are the best ambassadors for our unique style of
learning and community-minded environment.
To support this, we are rewarding all enrolled families with an extra 5% off your child’s tuition fees if you refer a friend to join The Aquila School.
This Week’s Feature
How to prepare your child for coming to school for the first time
We know that starting school can be very traumatic not only for children but also for mums and dad as well. As for many families, the last 3 years or so have been spent learning, developing and spending many hours together. For some children, the thought of being away from mum and dad in a different environment is
terrifying in the same way for some mums and dads leaving their beloved son or daughter in the care of other adults is an equally daunting thought.
At The Aquila School, we recognise that every family and every child is different and we are committed to working with every family to ensure that the transition of joining school is as happy, smooth and positive as possible. Part of this involves the school working closely with the family even before the term has begun through sharing information and giving families the opportunity to have a home visit, whereby the class teacher meets your child in their home environment. Not only does this enable the teacher to understand the interests and needs of the child, it makes the child feel more at ease when they start school as the very same adult will be there to meet and greet them.
With this in mind, here are our top tips to make sure your child is ready to start school for the first time in September.
1. Do everything you can to ensure your child is able to go to the toilet themselves
2. Go on a picnic with your child with their new school lunchboxes so they are used to eating out of them and can open and close them
3. Let them dress themselves. It doesn’t matter if their clothes are wonky or their buttons are not aligned, what is important is that it is encouraging your child to be independent.
4. Teach your child how to put their own shoes on and which feet they go on (stickers inside really help with this!). Children need to wear shoes they can put on themselves so if they can’t tie laces please don’t buy them shoes with laces.
5. We know that during the holiday’s routines sometimes fall by the wayside so in the days leading up to the start of term ensure your child goes to bed early and gets up at the same time they will have to when term begins.
6. Talk positively about school.
7. Have your children used to sharing and talking about books with you.
8. Label everything your child wears or brings to school.
9. Ensure your child has a healthy breakfast every morning, this will keep your child alert and active during the day.
10.Accept that when your child comes home from school they may wish to be quiet or play, don’t question them too much about their day at school they will talk about it if and when they are ready.
Upcoming Events
Stay and Play Sessions
Now that summer has arrived take advantage of our indoor ‘Stay and Play’ sessions here at the school. Our Head of Primary will lead activities designed to keep children busy, active and stimulated by offering them a magical, multi-adventure experience in our brand new early years section at our school. Each session will have a maximum of 10 children and parents.
Every Wednesday 2 – 3 pm until the 20th of June.
Open Day
Part of our school is now open for all families to meet our leaders and see our classrooms. Children (and
ambitious parents!) can test their creative skills by entering our UAE Design Challenge for a chance to
win a helicopter flight over Dubai.
When: Saturday 23rd June
Time: 10am – 2pm
Where: The Aquila School, Dubailand. Opposite Sky Court Towers. Enter at the white flags.
Save the Date
On Wednesday 29th August at 2.30pm all enrolled families are invited to join us in school to meet our staff, tour our school and sample delicious treats from The Aquila Noshery – our parent cafe.