Volume :6 | Issue : 2 October, 2013

In This Issue
Principal s Message
Vice Principals Message Simulation of pilgrimage

Dear Parents, As I write this article for the second Winch of the 10th year of schools existence, I am filled with joy and pride to be a part of this progressive school. We have had many parents visit the school in the first few weeks of this academic year for Orientation Evenings, Numeracy, Literacy and Arabic Workshops, Children Teaching Parents, Investiture Ceremonies, Class Assemblies, Garba Evening, Parent Reps Meetings, EDG meetings, Settling in Parent Teacher Meetings and many more. The key to schools growth and development has been feedback from all sources and using the feedback in the best effective way to benefit our children. I would like to thank all parents who take time to write/call/visit school to give us their valuable feedback. Your positive feedback works as a pat on our back and motivates us to do more. Your negative feedback gets us to evaluate the present situation, reflect, brain storm and strategise more effective ways to bring about reforms. It works well both ways. I have noticed many children (own transport users) arriving late to school on a regular basis. I ask parents to ensure your child arrives school on time to have a settled and smooth start of the day. We have now issued parent ID cart to all parents of FS to Year 4 (both own transport and school transport users). Please ensure that you have this card when you come to collect your child either from school or from bus stop to avoid any hassles in collection.

SEWA Day : The Winchester School. FS2 report Year 4 Report Student Column
Children teaching Parents Gorba Celebration

Student Column
Maths Quiz Competition Creative at the best

Winchester Students in
Switzerland

Student Column

Ms. Ranju Anand

Principal & CEO The Winchester School, Jebel Ali

INTERNATIONAL DAY is round the corner, on Thursday, 28th November, 2013. The Parent Reps would like to welcome parents into the classrooms of their children to explore the various cosmopolitan cultures that the Winchester School consists of. Thus enabling us to explore and investigate cultures from around the world that live in our very own Winchester Community.

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Dear Parents,
Its been a very busy and exciting first half term and we are hoping to have another action packed next half of the half term. I am focusing on writing to you about assessments as this is one of the most favourite and engaging topics for parents. Parents and student have given some positive and encouraging feed back. I am now aware of how my child is performing and what she now needs to do to make the expected progress, the rubrics are self-explanatory Parent
In my new class I can set my own targets and now I am aiming to perform better as I know from the start how to achieve each level with the level ladders. Student

October, 2013

achieving highest levels and celebrate successes. I ask for your continued support, encourage your child to have a good routine, set a time for reading, completing home learning tasks/assignments and revising on a regular basis to best avoid anxiety and stress. A student who works regularly and has a balanced approach to all subjects definitely makes excellent progress with ease.

These are some of the feedback we have got from students and parents. I would like to emphasise that continuous learning habits, being attentive in the classroom, completing home learning /assignments and follow up on oral and written feedback given to students is the key to

I welcome your feedback on the formative assessments (Self-assessment rubrics/success criteria checklists) that you can see in your childs samples of work. Please engage in conversations with your child to evaluate his/her work, what is challenging and how can they can achieve the next level. Do encourage them to ask teachers for clarification or support where needed.
Together We can Achieve MORE!!!

Ms. Meenakshi Dahiya Vice Principal

Arabic and Islamic Department conducted an Arabic simulation of the pilgrimage. This gave the students a live experience of how to perform the rituals of pilgrimage and the students really enjoyed a lot watching this realistic simulation as it presented a wonderful experience and helped the students identify the Islamic culture of the Muslim. The experience of introducing a real pilgrimage in front of the students is motivating and enjoyable for both Muslims and Non-Muslims who have seen a live scene of pilgrims doing circumambulation and pursuit around the Kaba (the Holy House of God ).This live experience is beneficial for the students for getting all the Islamic concepts close to the imagination of our students as if we were there in

that place of pilgrimage in order not to get confused when we study or even listen about performing the pilgrimage and its rituals. This experience has served the objectives of the Islamic culture in the school to be generalized among us. This real experience has introduced all kinds of information about the pilgrimage and has encouraged the Muslims to go there creating the motivation for doing its rituals and for Non-Muslims who truly liked that simulation as they shared their Muslim colleagues their Eid so it was a fruitful experience for both of them.

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October, 2013

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. The sun rising in the east on Sunday morning, 6th October, heralded the arrival of Sewa Day 2013. What a day! In Winchester, it started with a parade for the whole school. Eager faces bustling out of every corner of the school building holding Sewa Day banners was a real treat! To spare one Day in which we could give up a time to make a difference to someone. Bring a little joy to others and make them smile is SEWA. Our little ones made Thank you cards for each one of them. They even made bracelets, hand bands, garland and flowers out of paper. The children presented them with their cards, flowers, garlands and bracelets, they sang songs and played music for them. What a joy each of our small ones brought to facility management team is beyond expressing in words. All that matters is that you commit to doing a good deed on Sewa Day. Three cheers to FS2 Team! You are a part of something special.. YOU are what makes Sewa Day special.
FS Team

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Selfless service is a higher order virtue, the seeds of which must be planted in childhood. SEWA Day, celebrated on 6th October, provided a golden opportunity to do just that. The students assembled in the school ground holding their SEWA Day posters in which each student pledged 5 acts of kindness that they intended to practice. Students of Year-4 wrote Thank you notes to their parents and other members of the teaching and non-teaching staff. They also recollected and recorded the random acts of kindness that they practiced in the past few days which brought joy to others. TOGETHER WE CANMAKE A DIFFERENCE Yr-4 team

October, 2013

Students Column
SEWA Day at Winchester
We celebrated our SEWA day on the 6th of October 2013.It was such a wonderful experience and it was fun as we all had anticipated. If I were to give a brief account on how this special event was carried out, I would begin with how thrilling the whole week has been. Each and every one of us wrote a pledge. The time we spent together writing pledges were absolutely fun. It was extremely astonishing how our younger ones enjoyed themselves so much making lovely posters to show everyone what they had to say and what was on their mind. On the 6th of October 2013, from the youngest of our Winchester family to the oldest, everyone marched to the fields, holding their wonderfully decorated posters with very meaningful pledges written on them. I believe it was a great opportunity to realize what kind of a change that we all could bring if we got together. It was surprising how everyone was so motivated about making a positive change. I believe every one of us pledge to never forget this fantastic event and the experience and pledge to make a difference by starting to make smart choices.
Written by Isuri Geesha Wijesooriya Year - 13G1 Date 07/10/2013

The Winch Children teaching Parents

October 2013

If you happen to be in the reception foyer buzzing with the murmur of parents voices the first thing in the morning, you dont have to be told it is the day of one of our Children teaching parents occasions! Of all the Parental Engagement experiences on offer to our parents in the Parental Engagement calendar of events for the year, Children teaching parents wins hands down in the popularity stakes. This is the sixth time we have organised it in the last three years ever since it was introduced in January 2011. It is conducted twice a year, in October and January/February with Years 1 9 opening their classrooms to their parents. Our Foundation Stage 2 children, not to be out done teach their parents in February every year and do a brilliant job too! During the weeks we have our open classrooms parents come into their childs class, sit with the children, listen attentively to what is being taught, engage in the activities in small groups and then share their learning at the end of the session. They see for themselves how their child has been taught through the teaching of the parents and pick up tips and strategies they would like to use to teach their child.
All our parents have been very appreciative of their childrens efforts in their feedback. It isnt over yet ! if you have missed your childs class this time look out for our next set of lessons in January/ February 2014! Michelle Marie Rozario Parental Engagement Champ.

A sneak peek at the young Talents of Year 5 and 6

Old t-shirt bags - stitched in class

Newspaper pencil holder

Garbage Gobbler for recycling paper Party Hats...with recycled paper and waste materials..!!

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Do we ever feel Maths is a difficult subject or it is hard to solve a problem? Dont worry, Winchester has a fantastic way of enabling the students understand, grasp and solve!! The Year 5 and 6 teams were all geared up to BEAT THE BRIGHTEST!

October 2013

On the 22nd of October, 2013, YEAR 6 conducted a fabulous Inter house Maths quiz for the students. The students were filled with knowledge, enthusiasm and vigour. The various rounds like Rapid Fire, Matchstick Madness etc, kept the students on the move. The students represented the four houses and displayed an excellent team work and unity. The enthusiastic audience motivated and encouraged their teammates. A very motivating and interesting audience rounds was set for the vibrant and enthusiastic audience, who gave their best. Last but not the least, the event ensured commendable participation from each and every child irrespective of their levels and learning abilities. The winning team were as follows:

Year 5 6

First Place Water Earth

Second Place Wind Fire

Third Place Fire Water

At Winchester Every Child Matters. So it says it all. Hema Fernandes Head of Maths - Primary

Year 6 Maths Quiz was held on the 22nd of October and this was a very positive experience for ALL the students. It was a wonder to watch the little geniuses perform. Moreover the event elevated the spirits by having a special round for students with differing learning abilities. Kudos to the HOY - Ms. Esther and the entire Year 6 team for the well thought ad planned event. Congratulations to all the participants for their fantastic performance!!
Truly Winchester is a school where Every Child Matters Best regards Kavitha K Nair Learning Support Assistant

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Students Column

October 2013

Investiture Ceremony
A group of students gathered in the school auditorium, just like every other assembly..right? Not really. These students in particular were gathered for anything but a casual morning assembly with announcements and reminders. The leaders of the Winchester School 2014-2015 gathered on October 2nd in the auditorium to not be awarded positions, but to be acknowledged and recognized for their preexistent leadership roles. Every single person in that room has showcased leadership abilities and outstanding performance in their respective fields before that day, which thus resulted in their presence at the annual Investiture Ceremony. The ceremony consisted of awe-inspiring and encouraging words from a variety of members from the SLT and not to forget, the badgegiving. Heads and Deputy Heads, Prefects, House Captains and Student Council members alike took confident steps to the front of the room to be honoured with the badges which carried the weight of their forthcoming responsibilities. This followed with the Oathtaking, wherein the leaders of the day wholeheartedly accepted their duties, adding value to their otherwise mere titles. Marching out to the beat of the champions thanks to our lovely Primary students, we made our way out to fulfill and surpass all expectations; to personify leadership in all its compassionate glory. Behshid Behrouzi Head Girl

Garba Celebration

A permanent fixture, in our calendar of Parental Engagement activities, the Garba is looked forward to every year with great fervour by our parents and children alike and this year was no exception! It is a traditional Indian folk dance celebrating the festival of Navratri and was held this year on Thursday, 10th October 2013. A fun filled evening was had by all, full of rhythm, movement and dance. Boys and girls, mums and dads came dressed for the occasion in beautifully coloured outfits and danced away to the beat of the dhol and the special pulsating music used for the Garba. It was difficult to bring the evening to a close as no one could tear themselves away from the dance floor!

I cant wait for next years Garba!

Michelle Marie Rozario

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WINCHESTER STUDENTS IN SWITZERLAND
October 2013
As educators, we need to inspire our students to become the next generation of explorers and scientists. This year as a starter to expand our horizon, Winchester students made a trip to the beautiful land of Switzerland from Oct 11 -17th 2013.
Our major destinations included *Swiss science center Technorama, Zurich *CERN, European Nuclear Research Centre, Geneva *UN Headquarters & Red Cross Museum, Geneva. In addition we had an amazing time visiting cheese making industry and Chocolate factory. We spent a fabulous time at Mount Titlis above 10000ft, getting to observe the breath taking view of snow caped mountains and glaciers. The journey through the countryside left us with beautiful memories to reminisce. Swiss Science center Technorama in Zurich is a series of experiment stations and our students were welcomed by a vast array of experiments where they were free to explore at their own pace and to enjoy new experiences .The Mini labs and Open labs helped students to carry out simple experiments on their own in the laboratories. Our students were revealed the secrets of kitchen chemistry; the chemical reactions we put to use in food preparation and elsewhere in the house. In the next lab, they followed the footprints of alchemists, pioneers of modern chemistry and intriguing methods and phenomena of fundamental chemistry. At CERN, European Nuclear Research center, we received a warm welcome by CERN Governing body and were directed to CERN Scientists association hall to receive preliminary understanding of first generation particles and how they are governed by fundamental forces. The detailed description by Nuclear Physicists on quarks and leptons followed by open ended discussions created lot of enthusiasm and inquisitiveness among our young scientific minds. This is followed by tour on LHC (Large Hadron Collider) where we got to know detailed practical information about proton accelerators and how they are collided. We were taken across every sector of the plant where the mechanisms were explained by subject experts. The detailed information on the use of colliders in creating particles crashing at energies high enough to recreate conditions close to Big Bang ones and how these protons were accelerated at almost the speed of

October 2013
light by obtaining a high vacuum environment as the interplanetary space provided us with our ultimate scientific enquiries. This was followed by illustration on electromagnets and how their magnetic field strength is determined. We were highly privileged to visit UN Headquarters, its Human rights conference halls and Red Cross Museum, Geneva. Knowing World Vision as a development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice highly inspired our students. We ventured new avenues, learnt so many new things and enjoyed every moment of the trip. It felt like a paradise. I wish every success to my students and hope Winchester school to come ahead with such successful trips in future years. Good Luck! Susan Rubin Mathew (Head of Science)

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LARA 7G1
CERN is the European organization for nuclear research. Its an organization whose purpose is to operate the worlds largest particle physics laboratory. The organization is based in the northwest suburbs of Geneva. There we met a guide who showed us around. But first a women scientist showed us a little presentation about Cern . When she was done we were taken to a bus who took us to the thing called computer science. The World Wide Web began as a CERN project called ENQUIRE initiated by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and Robert Calliav in 1990. We saw a lot more stuff but it was harder than I thought to understand the things going on in Cern. AYAN 8B1 CERN was absolutely fantastic and astounding when I first walked into the center immediately knew this was going to be a thrill ride. We first saw a presentation on CERN. We also learn what the particles are in an aero plane fume. They contain protons. We also learnt that CERN have found something harmful in the protons and therefore they made accelerator filled with protons (with the help of radiation) hoping to create anti-protons. However the accelerator was too small so they made an even bigger accelerator which went all the way to France. It is really jaw-dropping. The possibilities are endless for CERN. I would really recommend going there. Victoria 7 G1 When I went to visit CERN in Geneva, it was a really useful experience. CERN is a scientific place and also its an international organization whose purpose is to prepare the largest physics laboratory .CERNs main function is to provide the particle accelerators and their infrastructure needed for high energy physics research. As we were inside CERN, we went to a big hall where all the science things were. We had a guide who explained as the purpose of CERN and showed as some places and things in CERN. Me and My friend enjoyed the place and we also learned that CERNS aim is to build the largest physics laboratory, I cant even imagine how big it would be, CERN located in Geneva, Switzerland .The world wide web began as a CERN project called Enquire, Initiated by Tim Berners Lee in 1989 and Robert Callidu in 1990, It was amazing wish to visit it again. Ashirvaan Naidoo

October 2013

On Science Trip at Switzerland

After three days in Switzerland, I travelled to the nuclear research facility known as CERN. At CERN we got to see and learn about particle collisions and the history of CERN. We started out with a speech given about particles collisions and the history of CERN. We started out with a speech given about particles and colliding them. We got to see the inside of the L.H.C( Model) and how it works. Large and powerful magnets keep the particles on a straight course, while a lot of temperature is changing, a special kind of metal is put inside which can withstand temperatures of over 9000 degree Celsius and prevents any fatal damage to the collider. The collider runs underground in Switzerland and underground in France. It goes to a depth of 100m below the surface, The collider between the border of Switzerland and France has not caused any trouble between the countries and is used by many researchers throughout the world today.

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On Science Trip at Switzerland
The cold wind whirred through our hair as we stood outside the airport in Zurich. Our sleepiness turned to excitement when the coach arrived, ready to take us to technorama, a science based sort of fair, which was portrayed to us as very informative and exciting. We enjoyed the diverse scenery during the coach ride to our set destination. All of us walked in inspiration towards the big board that read Technorama. After clicking a few pictures outside, we collected our tickets and first entered the physics section of the fair. It was vast and astonishing. The phenomenon being explained and experiments that were shown were numerous and varied from each other. It ranged from simple physics, such as longitudinal wave direction and forces, to intricate topics, such as electromagnetism and other unheard interesting phenomenon. We then entered the chemistry side of the fair, where we were greeted by the Periodic table, which surprisingly, contained most of the actual elements residing in the table! It was a rare sight to observe. Moving on, we then entered a small lab, and conducted two to three tiny experiments involving ethanol, sand, etc. We ended the journey of technorama by doing a little kitchen chemistry, and were soon on our way to the hotel. Zurich seemed like a nice yet compact area, with groceries and McDonalds nearby! Furthermore, the hotel accommodated us well with its homely services. However, Zurich shut its eyes by 8 pm, and the roads seemed to be empty by then. Along with Zurich, tired and restless, we hibernated ourselves for the night, looking forward to an even more amusing day tomorrow. Chiraag Mohnani Yr 11 B
A very informative event occurred on the Thursday of October 1st, 2013, where we had Captain Moosa from the Dubai Police Anti Narcotic division, talking to our students from Year 10, 12 and 13. Captain Moosa was here at our school to spread awareness about harmful effects of using drugs.

October, 2013

Anti-Drug Awareness Assembly:

During this special assembly, Captain Moosa discussed with us the consequences of using drugs and what will happen to adults and children as young as 12-18 year olds who use drugs. He showcased a bittersweet video about a college student in his early twenties took some drugs from his friend drove under the influence of drugs. Ultimately he was arrested and in the custody of the police. His whole family was shocked with the news and very much in pain. Towards the end of the video, the man was released from jail and could not apply for any job as he had a jail record and he lost his family because of his actions and destroyed his life. So after this important message we learned that using drugs can destroy your entire life and that it is bad for the health as well as illegal to use with consequences to face. We are very privileged for being chosen for piloting this school awareness program by Dubai Police. Moreover, Captain Moosa also encouraged students who participated actively by giving away certificates. Captain Moosa even offered to come back a second time with the Dubais Chief of Police with a more elaborate presentation. The question and answer session concluded the assembly and the secondary students came out more aware and more vigilant against the use of drugs. We thank Captain Moosa and Dubai Police for engaging us in this informative session.

Mariska Klaassen 10 G2

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My Experience in Winchester

October, 2013

My experience in Winchester was quite an exhilarating ride of a roller coaster. In just two years I have met amazing and wonderful people in the form of my teachers and classmates. I have attained many achievements and merits. . Before attending the Winchester School, I have never paid attention to competitions or quizzes, much less participated in class discussions. However, now thanks to the encouragement from my peers as well as teachers, I persevered myself to attempt participating in competitions such as Elocution, Spelling Bee making movies such as the Oscars!! Furthermore a desire for literature developed inside of me when I started studying here. Before I used to view my story writing (or English in general) as a tedious piece of work that had to be done; yet now, I appreciate the way the story flows or how mere words could paint a vivid picture in your mind. All of this was because of my English teachers challenging me, claiming I had potential. Theres a plethora more of wonderful interactions and moments I have experienced for example, meeting my best friends and wonderful teachers, or simply the food Panini(its the most delicious food Ive ever eaten) and many more. Simply put, my experience molded me into a better student. Thank you, Winchester! Alijaeh- 7B2

My experience at Winchester
I am a new student and I started school on the 2nd of September 2013. Initially I was very uncomfortable and shy as this was a new school. I was worried if I would fit in and make friends. As weeks have passed, I can now say that I have had a wonderful experience here at Winchester. I made a new and special friend who helped me around the school, clearing all my doubts and introducing me to others. The teachers, Head of Year and Head of Key Stage have been very helpful by helping find my sets and my classrooms. Winchester School offers a lot of opportunities and I am eager to be a part of these Overall I have had a wonderful experience and I am sure that this school will make me a better person. Ansh Chordiya- 8B4

My experience at Winchester School

As a new student, I would like to tell you about my experience at Winchester School these past few weeks. To begin with, The Winchester School is an incredible school with very high standards of education. Not only do the teachers work very hard here, but the students do too! The hard work and various awards that the students achieve here, has motivated me to set high aims and targets for myself. The environment of the school is very friendly and I have made very good friends in these three weeks. The teachers too have been very friendly and supportive. I am however nervous about the summative assessments in December, but I am working hard to do my best and achieve the target I have set for myself. I would like to thank my classmates and teachers for helping me adjust so comfortably. I really appreciate their efforts. Nasrien- 9G3

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October, 2013

40 minutes to listen A lifetime to forget.

On the 6th of October, the set A class of 9G witnessed the most intellectually interactive lecture they ever have. Walking into the TTR, a majority of the scholars were least interested in the book Animal Farm and the revolution it was about; most of us had only read the first 3 chapters of it and that was solely because we were assigned those particular parts of the story. During that minimal 40 minute session, it was like all 32 students had inhaled the magical dust of interest our teacher and her former professor had thrust across the room. A while ago, my father saw me clutching my Animal Farm novel as I was about to leave for school, he told me that in between my palms, I held a very realistic and fascinating book which he had loved in his childhood. I was puzzled. I didn't seem to understand how after all these years, my dad could still remember a story that was so boring - and until the day of the electronically exquisite lecture, I had still found it rather peculiar. Sitting in between those 4 walls with the professor's voice echoing through the room, my amusement level steadily clambered towards its highest peak. It was obvious that everybody was engrossed into the discussion - amusement flowed through our veins as naturally as blood did. The fact that such an ordinary human being as George Orwell could have predicted what was yet to come and transform it into a satire was too astonishing for words - people of that era were literally reading into their future! Even though the connection was not perfect (since we were communicating through Skype, and the talented professor was more than 2000 kilometers away) technicalities had occurred where the professors video image would freeze and a few of his words would get lost in cyberspace, his elocution was still very much comprehensible and all his facts and opinions were coherent. The matters that were in our proficient educators hands were conducted smoothly and faultlessly though.

Personally, I recommend this type of lesson to all the teachers as it was one of tremendous outcomes. I would like to thank my English teacher for coming up with such a brilliant idea that had helped us realise how deep and meaningful the book we once thought was so mundane, really is.

Layal Wehbe 9G1