FoR E-Newsletter

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

For Your
Information

The e-Newsletter of the Friends of Repton

Our Events Ms Dodds
Says
Repton Reads Reptonian
Work Welcome
Ramadan

Contents

Introduction from Friends of Repton ...................................3
Headmaster's Message .............................................................4
From the Head of Senior School ............................................5
In Conversation with Ms Dodds ............................................6
Repton Reads ..............................................................................8
Reptonian Corner .....................................................................14
PE Corner....................................................................................18
More about Sports ..................................................................20
Site 2 News ................................................................................21
Recipe Time ..............................................................................22
Upcoming events .....................................................................23
Acknowledgements..................................................................24

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

FoR Your Information

The e-Newsletter of Friends of Repton

Welcome to our first issue!

The Parents Committee of Repton School Abu Dhabi is very pleased
to launch this e-Newsletter, a new platform of communication for the
Repton Community. Each month we will feature staff interviews,
students’ drawings and writings, photographs, highlights of the most
important activities of the month, recipes, upcoming events and much
more. In this first edition, we included messages from the School
authorities and we dedicated it to ‘Repton Reads’.

The end of the School year is approaching fast and it seems like the
time for closure instead of new starts. But we think that this time of
completions is also a good opportunity to look back on the road behind
us and project on the path ahead. And that is exactly what this first issue
of For Your Information is about: a celebration of our most recent
events and achievements and an outreach for next year.

We hope you will enjoy our e-Newsletter and you will share it at home
with your children.

Thank you!

Friends of Repton Parents Committee
e-Newsletter Subcommittee

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Headmaster's message

I vividly remember from my youth an advert on television for
a telecommunications provider with the strap line ‘it’s good
to talk’. Although there may have been a strong commercial
interest linked to this campaign, the sentiment about people
connecting, sharing, understanding, and coming together
holds true.

Open Door, home-school links, social media… call it what
you may, communication is key. Whilst a diverse and ever-
changing community, we are all connected by the time we
share at Repton but also our keen and vested interest in
trying to gain the very best for our children.

I am sincerely grateful that a group of talented and willing
volunteers have created a parent newsletter and am sure this
will serve to inform and entertain but also further strengthen
the wonderful community we all belong to.

Robert Relton
Headmaster

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

From the head of senior
school

It gives me great pleasure to be writing to you in this issue of the Repton Abu
Dhabi Newsletter. Since arriving on secondment at Repton Abu Dhabi from
Repton Dubai, I have been constantly in awe of the positive characters and
incredible abilities of the pupil body at the school. In the classroom, on the
basketball courts, in the swimming pool and especially musically, the children
of this wonderful school are clearly on course to excel, lead and most
importantly, enjoy the experiences in their lives ahead. Such a situation of
happy, learning, engaging and risk taking children is not an easy thing to
develop but this and so much more is the case at Repton Abu Dhabi.

As I work with the Headmaster and other colleagues ahead of the opening of
the soon to be named Site 2, I am filled with excitement and positivity in
terms of the experiences that lie ahead for Reptonians.

Finally, I would like to remind you that I am available to meet and discuss Site
2 at Repton in the second floor Staff Room every Monday from 08.15 hrs –
09.15 hrs.

In the meantime, I wish you a positive week ahead.

Ramadan Kareem

David Flint
Head of Senior School

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

In Conversation

with Ms Dodds

Inspired by 'Repton Reads', FoR Your Information met with Ms Angela
Dodds, the Deputy Head of Repton School Abu Dhabi, and asked about her
time at school, anecdotes and book preferences as a child. Did you know
she makes children’s toys out of old clothes or that she used to work in
business before? Find out more about Ms Dodds here...

FYI: What was your favourite book as a child?
AD: When I was 3, my favourite book was “Ned The Donkey”, and I still love
donkeys today! I was always reading books – everywhere! - and definitely
loved Roald Dahl’s vivid imagination and simple choice of language.

FYI: What was your favourite game/hobby when you were a kid?
AD: I liked quiet hobbies, like reading, drawing, writing and sewing. I still do!
My Grandad and I used to write and send poems to each other on little
postcards. I love sewing – I teach people how to embroider, knit and crochet
here in Abu Dhabi, and make children’s toys out of old clothes. I am
happiest when I am being creative.

FYI: What is your best memory from school?
AD: I have 3!
1 – a pancake getting stuck on the ceiling on pancake day!
2- a school bully leaving my friend alone because I defended her and stood
up to the bully
3 – learning how to do ‘double dutch” with my friends - skipping with two
skipping ropes and music!

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

In Conversation

with Ms Dodds

FYI: And your favourite subjects while at school?
AD: I loved English and Art, and when I was older, I also loved learning
Latin and French.

FYI: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
AD: I used to work in business, but sometimes it was very dull and boring.
My Mum is a Music Therapist – the day I visited one of her special schools, I
knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with wonderful children. Children
know what is important. That was one of the best decisions I ever made! I
have never looked back.

FYI: What is the best thing about working at Repton School Abu
Dhabi?
AD: The best thing is sharing in the excitement and joy that 500 unique
children bring to school. Our children are kind, honest, open, smart and
funny. Each one is a unique person full of personality, potential, and
goodness. They are my inspiration, and I’m very proud of them.

FYI: Finally, can you give us a short message for the children?
AD: You are beautiful and unique, and made exactly the way you are meant
to be. Be yourself, because no one else is like you. Be kind to yourself, be
kind to others. The most important thing you are here to do on earth is to
love. Always try your best at everything, and when you have a hard decision,
remember that love never fails.

Thank you Ms Dodds!

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

REPTON READS

The 4th Edition of ‘Repton Reads’ proved to be a wonderful week
filled with fun and exciting activities that engaged the children’s
interest for reading in different ways: the Door Decorating
competition, ‘Bedtime Stories Day’ in the Library, the Book Swap,
dress-up day… and everything related to an environmental topic to
create awareness among the students about global concerns, such
as endangered animals, recycling or sustainability. Let’s have a look
at some pictures of the different activities of the week…

Classes decorated their doors in the given theme for each Year group: endangered
animals for FS, recycling for KS 1 and sustainability for KS2.

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

SOME PICS FROM THE WEEK

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

REPTON READS

In the context of  ‘Repton Reads’, For Your
Information got some quotes, anecdotes and
favourite authors from Mrs Nikki Connelly,  the
Head of Literacy and the mastermind (with Mrs

Gayle’s help) behind this fun filled week.

When I was growing up, I loved everything written by Roald Dahl. My
absolute favourite was “The Magic Finger” which is a story about a little girl
who uses a gift she has been given to help some of her neighbours see the
error of their ways. Another favourite was “Woof” by Alan Alberg, a story
about a boy who turned into a dog. This book has many happy memories as
it was read aloud by my Primary 4 (Year 3) teacher. Every day she would
read to the class for 20 minutes whilst we had milk. My dad also read to my
brother and I every night, we went on many adventures to faraway lands on
“The Wishing Chair” by Enid Blyton.

As a Mum, I love to read to my children at bedtime. Julia Donaldson’s
“Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose” was an early favourite of Abigail’s – I
read this to her most nights and then she would use the pictures to “read’ it
to me. Katie, her big sister always loved, “Room on the Broom” by Julia
Donaldson, she loved joining in. Lewis has yet to find a favourite story but
he is enjoying the baby owl story, “I’m not cute!” there are lots of these in
the series. As a mum, I think it is important to read to the children every
night for enjoyment, I love reading with voices and even now, Katie is
eleven, we often read together. Before we moved to the UAE, my dad would
pop over to our house and read the books he read to me as a child to the
girls – they absolutely loved it and I know that it is something they miss.

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

REPTON READS

As an FS1 teacher, I usually like to read books which have lots of repetition –
rhyming books are great for prompting the memory. In the past, when I have
taught upper Key Stage 2, I loved Michael Morpurgo books and my favourite
one was “Kasper, Prince of Cats”. It is the tale of a boy who works in a hotel,
he finds himself with a cat on board the ill-fated Titanic. It is a lovely story
and provides a fabulous basis for lots of talking and creative writing.

I have always been passionate about literacy – having previously taught in
schools where parental literacy was low. I worked with parents and their
children to develop skills which the whole family could use. This gave me
enormous job satisfaction. When I was at secondary school, I had the most
wonderful English teacher who helped me to realise my dream of becoming a
teacher and at that time, an author. At school, I won a number of competitions
for young writers. I am passionate about reading and writing as it opens a
whole world to children. The absolute joy on a child’s face when they can read
a word for the first time by themselves makes my heart sing. The same is true
when a child writes their name for the first time and someone else is able to
read what they have written. As Head of Literacy, I want to be able to equip
the children in our school with tools to access all of the information available to
help each and every one of them realise their full potential so that they can go
on to become anything they dream of, be it a scientist, a doctor, a teacher, a
dancer or a job that is yet to exist!

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

REPTON READS

I love my role as Head of Literacy as it allows me to keep up to date
with new ideologies in English and Literacy throughout Early Years,
KS1 and KS2. I am in the fortunate position where I can see a
whole school overview of progression and attainment – I am able to
work in collaboration with staff across all year groups to develop
and further enhance our reading and writing lessons.

Learning to read is the
greatest gift you can ever be
given. When you need an
adventure, but don’t have

the time to go anywhere,
reading a book will take you

to places you can only
imagine!

Thank you Mrs Connelly!

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

RECYCLING

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Reptonian Corner

Kids love to come to School in pyjamas... who wouldn't?

An endangered elephant
from FS1

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Reptonian Corner

Sam Balsara Year 2
Flamingos

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Reptonian Corner

In Ramadan Moosa prepared a game

Moosa Dara Year 2
Flamingos

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Reptonian Corner

Moosa Dara Year 2
Flamingos

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

PE Corner

Our Events

Massive congratulations to Repton Abu Dhabi Swim
Squad for a fantastic 1st place finish at the Al Mamoura
Swimming Gala on Tuesday 2nd May 2017.

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

More about Sports

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

SITE 2 NEWS

From an administrative and operational standpoint, I am pleased to report that work
on Site 2 is progressing on schedule with cladding and glazing in place as well as the
plethora of construction necessities being installed and completed on a daily basis.

Currently, plans have been put in place to ensure staggered start times for the two
sites to allow parents to drop off or pick up children at the start and end of the school
day. In addition, a tender has been placed for bus services to include our entire
catchment as well as ensure appropriate and swift transport links between the two
campuses. In addition to this, further tenders are currently being reviewed in respect
of catering facilities so as to ensure healthy, tasty and varied menus are provided for
our pupils at both campuses from Sep 17 as well as providing coffee shop facilities for
parents and visitors.

The combined efforts and innovation of our staff and ECA providers, Gulf Star, in the
interests of providing an appropriate and varied range of activities are now
completing ECA timetable for September. This will offer true variety and challenge to
cater for all pupil abilities ensuring participation in activities designed to foster the
spirit of creativity, enquiry and teamwork. The additional sports facilities at Site 2 will
provide greater, local opportunities for both enjoyment focused and competitive sports
for all ages and are one of the many aspects of the new campus that are eagerly
anticipated.

I very much look forward to reporting back to you as further progress is made.

David Flint
Head of Senior School

Recipe Time

JUNE 1, 2017 VOL. 1

Let's have a look at the Calendar...

See you in September!

Acknowledgemnts