THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2015
GENERAL
PRIMARY
SCHOOL NEWS
SECONDARY
SCHOOL NEWS
Issue 189
PADIA
D I A P R O M O T E S W O R L D P E A C E D AY
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY
“… let us stand with the millions of people across the world who are suffering the
devastating impact of violence and conflict. Let us share ideas and plans for helping
and supporting them in their time of dire need."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
th
On 16 September, DIA showed support for the principles and aims of World Peace Day. Students of Years
7 and 8 dressed in white and blue made a human peace sign in the Quad. At noon, Secondary students
observed one minute silence to acknowledge the need for peace in these troubled times.
ACADEMIC YEAR 2015 - 2016
OCTOBER 2015
Sunday, 4 October
PS LA KG – Year 2 Parent Information Session at 7.45am
Sunday, 4 October
Pearl Museum Field Trip - Arabic
Sunday, 4 October
Year 7-9 Focus Group Meeting, 8:00am
Monday, 5 October
World Teachers’ Day
Monday, 5 October
New MYP Parent Meeting, 5:00pm
Tuesday, 6 October
SS Parent Volunteer Meeting, 8:00am
Tuesday, 6 October
DP2 Focus Group Meeting, 12:30pm
Wednesday, 7 October
PS Math Parent Information Session at 6.30pm
Wednesday, 7 October
Year 10-11 Focus Group Meeting, 8:00am
Wednesday, 7 October
PADIA Bake Sale
Thursday, 8 October
Year 8 Lang B Quiz
Thursday, 8 October
DIA Open House - KG1 &2 only, 3pm to 4.30pm
Thursday, 8 October
Understanding CAS - DP seminar for parents @ 11:15am
Saturday, 10 October
DIA Invitational Swimming Meet from 09:00am - 5:30pm
Hamdan's Swimming Center
Sunday, 11 October
PD Day for IB Workshop (no school for only PS Students)
Monday, 12 October
PS Science Parent Information Session at 6.30pm
Wednesday, 14 October
Hijri New Year (TBC)
Thursday, 15 October
PlusPortal information seminar for MYP and DP parents
8:30am-9:30am
Sunday, 18 October
PS LA KG – Year 2 Parent Information Session at 7.45am
Monday, 19 October
Parent Focus groups KG1 & KG2 @ 12.30
Tuesday, 20 October
Parent Focus groups YR1 & 2 @ 1.30pm
Wednesday, 21 October
SS PD Day (no school for only SS students)
Wednesday, 21 October
Parent Focus groups YR3 & 4 @ 1.30pm
Thursday, 22 - Saturday, 24 October
MUN - Training Workshop
Thursday, 22 October
Parent Focus groups YR 5 & 6 @ 1.30pm
Wednesday, 28 October
IVEI Secondary School Debate
Wednesday, 28 October
Prefects Investiture
Wednesday, 28 October
PSATS’s
Thursday, 29 October
Swimming Gala
Thursday, 29 October
Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Day
Friday, 30 October
Wild Wadi Family Day
Saturday, 31 October
Halloween
Please Note: The above dates are subject to change.
For calendar updates please refer the school website - http://www.diadubai.com/learning/academic-calendar/2015-2016/
ACADEMIC YEAR 2015 - 2016
NOVEMBER 2015 (Continued)
Sunday, 1 - Tuesday, 3 November
Year 6 Camp All
Wednesday, 4 November
DIA - Open Day only Secondary timing 6pm-7.30pm
Wednesday, 11 November
Diwali / Armistice (Poppy Day)
Wednesday, 11 November
PS Half Day PD – Early Dismissal at 12.30pm for PS
Students only
Sunday, 15 - Thursday, 19 November
Anti Bullying Week
Thursday, 19 November
SS Parent Teacher Conference
No school for SS students only
Saturday, 21 - Sunday, 22 November
Silver DOE Training
Tuesday, 24 - Thursday, 26 November
Standardised Testing ACER IBT
Wednesday, 25 November
How we in the PS report at DIA at 6:30pm
Thursday, 26 November
PADIA Winter Souk
Monday, 30 November
Martyrs' Day Holiday
DECEMBER 2015
Tuesday, 1 December
UAE Assembly
Tuesday, 1 - Saturday, 5 December
Cricket Tourney
Wednesday, 2 - Thursday 3 December
UAE National Day Holidays
Sunday, 6 - Thursday, 10 December
MYP Yr 10 - 11 Exams
Monday, 7 December
DIA - Open Day only Primary Yr 1 -Yr 6
(Timing: 3pm- 4.30pm)
Wednesday, 9 - Monday, 14 December
CGSMUN - Athens
Monday, 14 - Tuesday, 15 December
PS Winter Concert
Monday, 14 - Thursday, 17 December
Bronze DOE Trip
Tuesday, 15 and Thursday, 17 December
PS Santa’s Grotto
Wednesday, 16 December
PS Parent Teacher Conference - No School for PS students
Friday, 18 December - Saturday, 2 January
Winter Break
Wednesday, 23 December
Prophet's Birthday
JANUARY 2016
Friday, 18 December - Saturday, 2 January
Winter Break
Sunday, 3 January
Students and staff return after Winter Break
Please Note: The above dates are subject to change.
For calendar updates please refer the school website - http://www.diadubai.com/learning/academic-calendar/2015-2016/
GENERAL
PRIMARY
SCHOOL NEWS
SECONDARY
SCHOOL NEWS
PADIA
PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS
Dear Parents,
SECONDARY
SCHOOL
A belated Eid Mubarak PRIMARY
to all DIA Families
– I NEWS
hope that you enjoyed the long weekend and had time to fulfil one of
GENERAL
SCHOOL NEWS
the important objectives
for Eid Al Adha which is spending quality time with family and friends.
In keeping with the spirit of giving which is another part of the Eid traditions, children have been collecting
contributions for ‘Care Boxes’ across the Primary School and we now have over 220 of these to distribute to workers
in Dubai. Thank you to all our families who have contributed. Charity forms an important part of Islam and almost all
world religions and our children are particularly eager to collect on behalf of the poor and needy.
We as a Primary School encourage ‘Caring’ as one of the PYP Learner Profiles and Dubai Cares remains a frequent
benefactor of student and parent generosity. Having said this, we are also working hard to promote different forms
of caring and I would greatly appreciate your support in extending the children’s understanding that helping others
comes in many different forms and while financial aid can make a difference, there are a number of other ways that
we as individuals and a community can help:


By educating ourselves on the issues that affect people of all types in our community and further afield
By showing respect and consideration to all those who may be in our community and in need of help – a bottle of
water to the man who sweeps our road, saying ‘Thank you’ to the doorman who opens the door, making a bird
bath for wild birds and so on
 By using the clothing banks that are located in key areas within many communities in Dubai for old clothes and
shoes
 By writing to agencies and authorities on behalf of those without the means to do so
In this way, we support our children in appreciating their own responsibility for taking direct action to help.
Have a great October!
Tim Richardson
Head of Primary School
WHO DONE IT?!
The students in 2MQ and 6DG turned into private investigators by trying to crack the code, look for clues and solve
the mystery of the Stride family poisoning. The family went to dinner one night to the Savoy Restaurant and the next
day, they all woke up feeling very sick. Were they intentionally poisoned? Was it something they ate or drank?
Looking at all the facts about what each member of the Stride family liked and disliked to eat and drink, their specific
allergies and dietary habits, as well as looking over the menu at the Savoy Restaurant, the students not only tried to
get to the bottom of the horrific poisoning; as to what happened and how it happened, but they also wrote a police
report to add to the Stride police file, explaining their conclusions.
The lesson objective of this activity was to developing problem solving and team work skills. Discussions were had
regarding how to start the task, what skills were used to work out the solution ad what specific information they
needed.
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder creates man’s desire to understand.” – Neil Armstrong
GENERAL
PRIMARY
SCHOOL NEWS
SECONDARY
SCHOOL NEWS
PADIA
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Dear Parents
Things are already buzzing this year in the Secondary School with some sparkling classrooms and innovative lessons,
which only serve to reinforce what wonderful learners you have provided us with! As with all beginnings to the year
there have been some ups and downs and moving arounds in terms of groups. This has notably been the case in
maths where we have reviewed and refreshed our setting arrangements to make sure that all students are placed in
the right class to match their learning needs. I trust that my email last week explained this sufficiently (if not then
please see the bottom of this section!)
A few start of year reminders and firstly uniform. Please can you ensure that all children are arriving to school in the
correct uniform. In particular with only 1 button undone on shirts/blouses and no hoodies apart from DIA branded
ones. Secondly, please make sure that you have downloaded copies of both the homework timetable and
assessment calendar. These essential documents will help you to support your child’s home learning.
Finally, and as I alluded to above, I have started a Thursday morning drop-in session for parents from 7:40 to
10:00am. If you have any questions or feedback about your child’s education at DIA then please do not hesitate to
‘drop-in’ between these times to speak to me. This operates on a first-come-first-served basis.
Kind regards
James Roberts
Head of Secondary School
UPDATE - DP1 PARENT NIGHT
Thank you so much to the parents and teachers who attended our most recent DP1 parent information session.
Many topics were discussed such as the construct of the Diploma Programme, the Core of the DP, Academic Honesty
and University Placements.
The overriding aim of this session was to inform parents of the basics surrounding the Program and to create an
open atmosphere where everyone was comfortable asking questions and develop the DIA community. Many great
questions were addressed and we even had some of our students participate by teaching their parents about the
differences between the Courses and Diploma Programme.
Overall, it was a very successful evening and we look forward to hosting additional sessions in the future.
Upcoming DP Seminars for Parents


Understanding CAS - October 8th in room 022 from 11:15-12:00
Getting the Most out of PlusPortal - October 15th from 8:30-9:30 in the Exam Hall (date may change due to
public holiday).
A NOTE FROM YOUR IBMYP COORDINATOR
We are delighted to pass on our congratulations to all the Year 11 cohort of 2014-015. They are the first cohort to
have sat assessments using the new MYP criteria in all subjects and new format of the Personal Project. They have
proven themselves to be considered thinkers, innovative risk-takers and knowledgeable students. We would
especially like to congratulate the top 13 students who achieved a minimum of 42/49 points.
MYP Class of 2015 Top Scores
Congratulations to all of you!
ri
Aman Pu 2011–
rian
Valedicto 12
20
43
Top Score
Aman
Valedicto Puri
rian 2011–
2012
Top Score
43
Sarah Abu Al Haj - 48/49
Haya Sardar - 44/49
Hana Abdirahman Irro - 44/49
Zaynah Khoda - 43/49
Marnix Jaap Mooij - 43/49
Marta Ortega Vega - 43/49
Olivia Simoni - 43/49
Syeda Elishbah Amer - 43/49
Tanvi Dahiya - 43/49
Sarkis Hovagimian - 42/49
Allen John Lopez - 42/49
Dhwan Laddha - 42/49
Khadija Shabbar Mala - 42/49
SCHEDULE OF UNIVERSITY VISITS AND FAIRS FOR OCTOBER, 2015
In October, some of the top universities will be visiting DIA to meet with our students. The October schedule of
university fairs and visit, including venue, will be updated on plus portal.
Parents are welcome to attend the university visits.
Venue – to be confirmed
Name of University/tours visiting
Country
Date
Venue
Timing
US
5 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
6 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
US
7 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
US
8 Oct
TBC
10:00-11:00 am
London School of Economics
UK
12 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
Northeastern University
US
13 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
UCLA & UC Berkeley
US
13 Oct
TBC
1:30-2:30 pm
University of Arts, London
UK
18 Oct
TBC
12:30-1:15 pm
Emory University and New York University
US
20 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
Canada
21 Oct
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
Johns Hopkins, U. Chicago, and Colby College
US
21 Oct
TBC
Evening session
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Rutgers University
US
22 Oct
Syracuse University and Suffolk University
US
28 Oct
Boston University
Royal Holloway, University of London
Hult University
ISN - group of US Universities
Scholarship awarding universities:
California State University - San Marcos
California University of the Potomac - DC
Illinois State University
University of Central Missouri
Drury University
Missouri Adelphi University
NY American University in Bulgaria
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Oregon State University
The College of Saint Rose - NY
Western Illinois University
Concordia University Wisconsin
Penn State University
Harrisburg Saint Joseph's University, PA
Drexel University, PA
Canadian University Fair
1:00-2:00 pm
TBC
1:00-2:00 pm
GENERAL
PRIMARY
SCHOOL NEWS
SECONDARY
SCHOOL NEWS
PADIA
Parents Association of
Dubai International Academy
EVENTS
Bake Sale
Wild Wadi Night
Winter Souk
Santa’s Grotto
International Evening
Movie Night
RESPONSIBILITIES
2nd Hand Uniforms
2nd Hand SS Books
PS Lost and Found