Al Sedra Bin Omran - Week 33

It’s been another busy and positive week here at GES, with classrooms filled with purposeful learning, creativity, and enthusiasm as we continue through the final half term of the academic year. Across the school, students have remained focused and engaged in their learning, whilst staff continue to provide encouragement and support as preparations for upcoming assessments continue.

Alongside the hard work taking place in lessons, there have also been some wonderful opportunities for students to celebrate and showcase their learning. Our KS1 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their exciting water fight exit points this week, bringing lots of laughter, teamwork, and fun as they marked the end of their learning journeys for this half term. It was fantastic to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic throughout the activities.

We were also incredibly proud of all the students who took part in this year’s annual Spelling Bee. The competition was captivating from start to finish, and all participants demonstrated excellent resilience, confidence, and determination whilst performing under pressure. Their efforts and positive attitudes were a credit to themselves and the school.

As always, we continue to place a strong emphasis on student wellbeing, positive relationships, and maintaining a supportive environment where all children can thrive academically and personally. We thank our parents for their continued support and partnership as we work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students during this important final term of the year.

Finally, we would like to wish all of our families a safe, restful, and enjoyable Eid break. We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for the weeks ahead.

Miss Kim

Pre School

We had an exciting week of learning and creativity in class! 👩‍🍳We learned about Chefs, we prepared dough and made a gingerbread man, exploring textures, measuring ingredients, and following instructions carefully.

In Maths, we created a shape pizza 🍕, consolidating our knowledge of 2D shapes while identifying circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles.

We also learned how to write a recipe 📝, using clear instructions, and important vocabulary.

 In PSHE, we discussed teamwork 🤝, the importance of staying clean 🧼, and how eating healthy foods 🥗 helps our bodies grow strong and active. We worked together, shared ideas, and supported each other throughout all activities.

It was a fun and meaningful week full of practical learning, creativity, and cooperation across subjects. We are proud of our progress and enjoyed every lesson this week very much. We will continue building skills next week with more hands-on learning activities and fun challenges in all subjects.

Reception

This week in RMO, we have continued with our exciting topic, “Once Upon a Time,” where the children have been exploring a range of traditional tales. Our focus story this week has been Little Red Riding Hood,and the children have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story, joining in with repeated phrases and retelling the tale in different ways.

Throughout the week, the children have taken part in a variety of creative and engaging activities linked to the story. They enjoyed creating woodland scenes, designing baskets for Little Red Riding Hood and engaging in role play activities. These experiences encouraged creativity, imagination and supported the children’s storytelling skills.

In Literacy, the children have been describing the wolf, thinking carefully about his appearance and character. The children also commented on his big eyes, sharp teeth and pointy ears, using a range of descriptive vocabulary during their discussions and learning.

In Maths, the children have been practising counting to 20 and beyond through a range of fun practical activities, games and songs. They have been developing confidence when recognising numbers and counting objects accurately.

The children have had a brilliant week of learning and have shown great enthusiasm and engagement across all their activities.

Well done!

Year 1

What an amazing end to our 9-week term!🎉

This week in Maths, we have been learning all about telling the time to the hour ⏰🕐 and the children worked so hard showing different o’clock times. In Literacy, we have started our hot write based on Lucy and Tom at the Seaside 🌊📚 and the children have impressed us with their fantastic ideas and writing skills! We finished the week with lots of fun and excitement during our Maths Hour activities

In IPC, we celebrated our Exit Point with a HUGE water fight! 💦☀️ The children had the best time splashing, laughing, and making wonderful memories together.

To celebrate Eid, the children also enjoyed a fantastic non-uniform day 🎉 filled with laughter and special treats! They had so much fun on the bouncy castles and inflatable games, enjoyed train rides, and loved their delicious popcorn, candy floss, and pancakes 🍿🍭🥞🚂

I am SUPER proud of everything the children have achieved this term — they have all worked incredibly hard and should be so proud of themselves too! 👏 Here’s to an exciting Summer 2! ☀️💛

Year 2

This week in Year 2 🌟

In Maths, the children continued developing their understanding of time ⏰ by practising telling the time to the hour and past the hour. They used clocks confidently to read and show different times.

In Literacy, we explored using apostrophes ✏️ for both contractions and possession. The children practised spotting and using apostrophes correctly within their writing.

We also ended the week with lots of excitement by taking part in Maths Hour activities, where the children created colourful tessellations and explored repeating patterns.

To celebrate Eid, the children enjoyed a wonderful dress down day 🎉 filled with fun activities including bouncy castles, inflatable games, a train ride, popcorn, candy floss and pancakes. It was a lovely way to celebrate together and end the term with smiles all around!✨

Year 3

Year 3 have had a fantastic Summer Term. To celebrate the end of term, we enjoyed many festivities linked to the Eid holiday. The children had lots of fun celebrating this special occasion early with their friends, sharing in the joy and excitement together.

In English, we have covered a range of grammar skills, including subordinate clauses, conjunctions, and apostrophes. The children completed several grammar quizzes and worked through them with great confidence and speed.

In Maths, we have completed our second-to-last chapter on angles. The children have shown great understanding, remembering that acute angles are “cute” and therefore smaller than a right angle.

Year 4

Year 5

This week, we worked in groups to create a charity action plan to support refugees. We discussed what refugees may need, how different people could help a refugee through donations and fundraising, and ways to promote their ideas to others.

Year 6

This week has been another busy and exciting one in Year 6. In Maths, we completed our work on position and direction by exploring reflections, translations, and solving problems involving coordinates. The children showed great enthusiasm as they developed their understanding of how shapes and points move across grids. In English, we completed our persuasive writing unit, with the children producing fantastic persuasive pieces based on their own personal inventions. It has been wonderful to see so much creativity and imagination in their writing.

Some of our children also had the honour of participating in the Year 12 Graduation, where they proudly sang the national anthem. They truly are the pride of our school, and we were incredibly proud of how confidently and respectfully they represented Al Sedra. On Thursday, we also enjoyed a wonderful Eid celebration in school, where the children had the chance to play on inflatables and enjoy lots of delicious food together. Alongside this, we have continued using Century Tech to support our revision and independent learning. We have also begun preparing for our own graduation by discussing ideas and thinking about what we would like the event to look like.

Creative Arts/P.E.

EYFS
In EYFS, the Preschool and Reception students explored a song all about emotions and how feelings can be represented through colours. The children enjoyed singing and dancing along to the song while learning about different emotions. They then expressed their understanding creatively by making their own emotion drawings using a variety of colours to represent different feelings.
In PE, the students explored the importance of turn-taking, teamwork, and working together through a variety of exciting games and activities. They enjoyed playing games such as Capture the Flag, Treasure Hunt, and Jumping Rock, Paper, Scissors competitions, which helped develop their cooperation, communication, and physical skills in a fun and engaging way.

KS1
Year 1
In KS1, the Year 1 students practised singing their song together as a group in preparation for their end-of-year performance. They also explored playing African drums, developing their rhythm, listening, and teamwork skills while enjoying making music together.
In PE, Year 1 students explored different tactics and strategies to help them succeed in team games. They learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and making quick decisions while working together to achieve a goal. The students also enjoyed playing rounders, where they practised their throwing, catching, and batting skills in a fun and active way.

Year 2
In Year 2, the students continued preparing for their end-of-year performance by practising their songs with confidence and enthusiasm. The boys and girls worked separately on their performances, using actions and harmonies to make their singing more expressive and engaging. The children focused on listening carefully to one another and working together to create strong group performances while developing their musical and performance skills.
In Year 2 PE, the students focused on how to work effectively as a team in order to achieve the most points in a variety of games and activities. They explored different strategies, communication skills, and teamwork techniques while encouraging and supporting one another throughout the lessons. The students showed great cooperation and enthusiasm as they developed both their physical skills and their understanding of successful teamwork.

KS2 PE and Creative Arts

Year 3

PE: Year 3 children had an exciting week continuing their benchball lessons, showing fantastic enthusiasm during team games and activities. They improved their throwing and catching skills and became more confident when moving into space. Children worked hard to support their teammates and apply simple tactics during gameplay. There was lots of energy and encouragement throughout lessons as children practised working together. Small-sided games were highly enjoyable and helped build confidence and coordination. It has been wonderful to see their teamwork and enjoyment continue to grow.

Music: Year 3 children continued practising enthusiastically for their end of year performance this week. They sang songs with increasing confidence and worked hard to remember actions and routines. Children showed excellent effort when keeping in time and performing together as a group. Rehearsals were full of excitement as they refined different sections of the performance. Confidence is growing each lesson, with children becoming more expressive and performance-ready. It has been lovely to see their excitement and pride shine through.

Year 4

PE: Year 4 children showed fantastic focus and determination while continuing their benchball lessons this week. They developed greater accuracy when throwing and catching and moved confidently into space during games. Children demonstrated strong teamwork and communication throughout activities. Small-sided games encouraged quick decision-making and cooperative play. There was a great sense of enthusiasm and healthy competition during lessons. It has been brilliant to see their confidence and game understanding continue to improve.

Music: Year 4 children continued rehearsing for their end of year performance with lots of energy and enthusiasm. They worked hard to improve timing, expression, and confidence when performing together. Children practised songs and routines carefully, refining actions and transitions between sections. Teamwork was excellent, with children supporting and encouraging one another throughout rehearsals. Their performances are becoming more polished and expressive each week. It has been fantastic to see their growing confidence and excitement.

Year 5

PE: Year 5 children continued developing their benchball skills through fast-paced and engaging activities this week. They demonstrated improved passing accuracy, movement, and tactical awareness during games. Children communicated effectively with teammates and showed excellent teamwork throughout lessons. Competitive matches encouraged quick thinking and strong decision-making under pressure. Energy and determination were evident in every activity. It has been impressive to see their confidence, resilience, and understanding of gameplay continue to grow.

Music: Year 5 children continued preparing for their end of year performance with fantastic commitment and enthusiasm. They rehearsed confidently, focusing on improving timing, projection, and expression. Children refined key sections of songs and routines while supporting one another as a group. Rehearsals were focused, energetic, and full of positivity. Their confidence and stage presence are becoming stronger with each session. It has been wonderful to see their excitement and pride in their performance work.

Year 6

PE: Year 6 children demonstrated excellent teamwork and tactical awareness while continuing their benchball lessons this week. They applied attacking and defending strategies confidently during competitive gameplay. Children communicated clearly and adapted their tactics effectively throughout matches. Their passing, movement, and positioning skills showed great improvement. Games were highly competitive and played with excellent sportsmanship and determination. It has been fantastic to see their leadership, confidence, and enthusiasm continue to develop.

Music: Year 6 children continued rehearsing for their end of year performance with outstanding focus and maturity. They refined songs, speaking parts, and routines with increasing confidence and expression. Children showed excellent teamwork and supported each other throughout rehearsals. Their stage presence and performance quality continue to improve each week. Rehearsals were productive, energetic, and highly engaging. It has been brilliant to see their excitement building as they prepare for their final performance.

KS2 Spelling Bee

High Stakes at the 2nd Annual KS2 Spelling Bee!

Today marked the highly anticipated 2nd KS2 Spelling Bee, and what a spectacular showcase of academic talent it was! The atmosphere in the hall was electric as our top spellers took to the stage, showcasing months of hard work, grit, and determination.

Competition was incredibly fierce across both the semi-finals and the finals. In fact, the standard was so exceptionally high this year that our brilliant Year 4 finalists completely exhausted their own word list, forcing the judges to move them onto advanced Year 5 words to find a winner! Every single participant demonstrated incredible resilience under pressure.

🌟 Celebrating Our Finalists

A massive congratulations to every single student who worked so hard to reach this stage of the competition. Standing up in front of peers and judges to spell complex words from memory is no small feat, and you should all be immensely proud of your achievement.

🏆 Year Group Champions

After some nail-biting rounds, we are delighted to announce our individual Year Group Winners:

• Year 3 Winner: Mohamad
• Year 4 Winner: Lara
• Year 5 Winner: Haya
• Year 6 Winner: Yahya

👑 The Overall KS2 Champion

A special round of applause goes to Yahya (Year 6), who managed to hold his nerve through the ultimate final rounds to be crowned our Overall KS2 Spelling Bee Champion for 2026!