Faith, Knowledge and Work KFS Primary School Newsletter: Volume 1, Edition 4 19 March, 2014 1 KFS Primary Newsletter Success is not enough. Excellence is required. Dr Ken Darvall King Faisal School The goal of King Faisal School is to develop young people through a rigorous national and international program of study. KFS students are encouraged to attain academic excellence based on a foundation of faith, knowledge and work in order to help create a sustainable, peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. KFS fosters respect for Arab Islamic heritage while embracing an international perspective which is vital to meet the demands of the modern world. KFS inspires students to succeed as world citizens and to be the best that they can be. School attendance is one critical factor for student achievement. As the saying goes, ‘a day missed is a day lost’. Four key aspects to school attendance that inhibit student success are: • absences that exceed 10%; • arriving late for school; • leaving early; and • leaving for vacation early, or returning late from vacation. With a mid-semester break commencing on Sunday, 23 March, we are witnessing families seeking leave as they have booked travel prior to the start of a school break. Leave can never be approved if classes are operating and school is open. Unfortunately, students who are leaving early this week will miss the (inaugural) Primary School Spelling Bee which will be conducted tomorrow, Thursday, 20 March. The initial rounds will be conducted in class to determine each class champion in the morning. At 12.00 noon, students will assemble in Building 5 to witness the championship round to determine our Grade Spelling Champions for 2014. Of course, parents are invited and most welcome to attend the championship round. With International Water Day being officially celebrated during the break, students will also participate in special activities to mark this special event that links closely to the PYP transdisciplinary themes of ‘how the world works’ and ‘ sharing the planet’. Planning is well underway to ensure a successful new academic year from August 2014. To help inform our priorities, I have included a parent survey in this newsletter. I invite parents to complete this survey and return it to the Primary School by 3 April. Your input will be valuable and appreciated. The Primary School Newsletter is published each fortnight and copies of the abridged version will be sent home with students. The full colour edition can be found on the Primary School website: http://www.kfs.sch.sa/pyp-eng/tabid/815/ Default.aspx , Skyward, or at http://issuu.com/kfs- primaryschool/docs/kfs_primary_newsletter_190314 I appreciate your support. Dr Ken Darvall (Principal)
Success is not enough. Excellence is required. Dr Ken Darvall
King Faisal School The goal of King Faisal School is to develop young people through a rigorous national and international program of study. KFS students are encouraged to attain academic excellence based on a foundation of faith, knowledge and work in order to help create a sustainable, peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. KFS fosters respect for Arab Islamic heritage while embracing an international perspective which is vital to meet the demands of the modern world. KFS inspires students to succeed as world citizens and to be the best that they can be.
School attendance is one critical factor for student achievement. As the saying goes, ‘a day missed is a day lost’. Four key aspects to school attendance that inhibit student success are: • absences that exceed 10%; • arriving late for school; • leaving early; and • leaving for vacation early, or returning late from vacation. With a mid-semester break commencing on Sunday, 23 March, we are witnessing families seeking leave as they have booked travel prior to the start of a school break. Leave can never be approved if classes are operating and school is open. Unfortunately, students who are leaving early this week will miss the (inaugural) Primary School Spelling Bee
which will be conducted tomorrow, Thursday, 20 March. The initial rounds will be conducted in class to determine each class champion in the morning. At 12.00 noon, students will assemble in Building 5 to witness the championship round to determine our Grade Spelling Champions for 2014. Of course, parents are invited and most welcome to attend the championship round.
With International Water Day being officially celebrated during the break, students will also participate in special activities to mark this special event that links closely to the PYP transdisciplinary themes of ‘how the world works’ and ‘ sharing the planet’.
Planning is well underway to ensure a successful new academic year from August 2014. To help inform our priorities, I have included a parent survey in this newsletter. I invite parents to complete this survey and return it to the Primary School by 3 April. Your input will be valuable and appreciated.
The Primary School Newsletter is published each fortnight and copies of the abridged version will be sent home with students.
The full colour edition can be found on the Primary School website: http://www.kfs.sch.sa/pyp-eng/tabid/815/Default.aspx , Skyward, or at http://issuu.com/kfs-primaryschool/docs/kfs_primary_newsletter_190314
KFS Primary School Primary School REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT 2014
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS/CARERS (1 - 5)
This questionnaire is an important part of the KFS Primary School review and development process. Your feedback will help identify school strengths and areas for improvement. Most of the questions on this form ask you to rate your level of agreement. Please use a blue or black pen and tick the box that best represents your opinion. Results are confidential. Do not put your name on this form. Please return your completed questionnaire to the Primary School in an envelope marked ‘REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE’.
Section 1 - About you 1. Child’s Year level Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 2. In which year did your child first start at this school? 3. Who is completing this questionnaire? Mother Father Both Mother and Father Other 4. Does your family usually speak a language other than Arabic at home? Yes Language No
Section 2 - About School
Learning and Teaching Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly
Disagree
1. I receive regular information about my child’s progress. !4 !3 !2 !1
2. The things my child is learning are relevant to his needs. !4 !3 !2 !1
3. Teachers encourage my child to do his best. !4 !3 !2 !1
4. My child’s reports are useful to me. !4 !3 !2 !1
5. I am aware of the standard of work that is expected of my child. !4 !3 !2 !1
6. KFS Primary School provides opportunities for students, teachers and parents to meet together to discuss student progress. !4 !3 !2 !1
7. Parent/Teacher/Student interviews provide me with sufficient information about my child’s progress at KFS Primary School. !4 !3 !2 !1
8. I understand the Primary Years Program and its focus on inquiry learning. !4 !3 !2 !1
