DESS Newsletter - 41

Am I brave, am I courageous?

Interestingly, while we talked about bravery and overcoming fears at DESS this week, when I consider bravery, I think we have also been describing courage: those who are brave overcome challenges without internal fear, those who are courageous overcome challenges despite fear. Bravery is an inbuilt character strength or quality, whereas courage is the act.

Miss Curran launched this week with a superb video focusing on the Character Strength ‘Bravery’, which was followed by Mr Clarkson’s motivating assembly asking the children to “find their brave”.

The development and progression of mankind has relied upon brave, courageous individuals who have shaped change. Whether they are courageous and feel the fear or brave and don’t, we need societies to do what’s right, show up, speak and care enough to act. We have a lot to thank those people for and we ought to ask ourselves, am I brave, am I courageous?

We are currently witnessing inspiring examples from across the world; people working on the front line of COVID-19 care, uniting in the fight for equality in the Black Lives Matter movement, fighting for animal rights and people fighting against human rights violations or providing humanitarian aid – we could all list so many noble examples. Not all of these people are courageous, some of them are naturally brave, but they are all united in their willingness to act in the face of fear or threats. I for one, am thankful to them all for being heard.

But then there are those that are quietly brave or courageous and do things such as, ask for help, put on a brave face for someone else or say sorry. These acts of strength should not be overlooked merely because they are simpler; they may not shape societies, but they will shape the individuals involved.

The children at DESS have embarked on the beginning of their transition. Whether they are moving to a new class, new school or new country, each transition will carry fears, doubts or perceived threats. Will my new teacher like me? Will I be able to do the work? Who will the new children in my class be? What if some of my friends are leaving, will I make new ones?

As Mrs Gibson said last week, change is a natural part of life and indeed so is fear and doubt. How the children experience these first uncertainties in childhood can shape how they respond to them as adults. I want our DESS children to know that being brave and being courageous, overcoming doubts and fears can lead to success.

In this week’s newsletter, Olivia Tom, our School Advisor, has shared some valuable information regarding bravery, which you may find useful.

Whether you are naturally brave or choose to have courage, I sincerely wish you all a weekend and summer holiday without worry, fear or doubt.

Rebecca Eldred
Assistant Headteacher

Staff Stars of the Week

To celebrate some of our committed people here at DESS, our staff stars of the week are: Seonaid Thompson, Claire McDonald, Aisling Hubert and the Admissions Team

Mrs Hubert	Mrs Thompson	Mrs McDonald

Message from our Student Advisor

Have you taken a moment to notice what you have achieved? Really, achieved?

Sixteen weeks ago, our worlds changed. The children’s, the teachers’, and the parents’ lives, all started to look hugely different. We were faced with endless unknowns, walking into the deep. We were faced with a very new way of life – and of learning. ‘New’ brings about feelings of uncertainty, risk and subsequent vulnerability…

When faced with vulnerability, if you believe in the worthiness of love and belonging, if you believe in the feeling of being connected, if you trust and can be trusted, then, you can believe in being brave.

Brene Brown states “sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do, is just show up!”… and you have, we have. Together we have braved this uncertainty, we have taken the willingness to fall because we were all brave enough to rise again. We believed that we were worthy and that ‘our team, our tribe’ were there to support us. There were on-screen bloopers, looming inspections, new behaviours from children, endless juggling,  numerous hats to be worn, highs and excitement, lows and refusals, fears of judgement – but together the children, the teachers and the parents, we all showed- up and had the courage to be brave.

Courage is from the Latin word “cor” – meaning heart. Courage is acting with the heart. And didn’t we just?…. You were never alone, but only you – every single child, parent, and teacher – you, made it happen with all your heart.

When we look at Bravery – we look at Trust. Brene Brown describes the seven elements of BRAVING trust:

1. You respect my boundaries, and when you’re not clear about what’s okay and not okay, you ask. You’re willing to say no.
2. You do what you say you’ll do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and limitations, so you don’t over promise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities.
3. You own your mistakes, apologize, and make amends.
4. You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. I need to know that my confidences are kept, and that you’re not sharing with me any information about other people that should be confidential.
5. You choose courage over comfort. You choose what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy. And you choose to practice your values rather than simply professing them.
6. I can ask for what I need, and you can ask for what you need. We can talk about how we feel without judgment.
7. You extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of other

Haven’t the children been brave? The new normal was hard enough for grown-ups, knowing what we know about the world. But the children, they only had trust and bravery. They trusted in their DESS belonging, they believed in us, they leant into connection – and they were brave.

During the summer break take some time to explore this trust – some time to be silent in heated moments, to lean into curious thoughts and to watch the children from afar. Notice their achievements, narrate their strengths, let them sit with boredom, hold them tight, cherish their playfulness, and enable them to discover, with the permission of childhood, the freedom to be creative and curious.

Together, we are a community and we trust in our partnership. Together, we have all been brave.  There will be more moments of vulnerability as September comes around, as the new-normal becomes defined, but we have trust and we have seen your brave.

“When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending.” Brene Brown.

Olivia Tom
Student Advisor

References.

Brown, B. (2017). Braving the wilderness: The quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone. Random House.

Meet the Teacher

Miss Knowles

What is your full name?
Sarah Knowles

What do you teach?
Year 2 (2 Red). Next year, I will be teaching in 1 Yellow and I will be the KS1 Phase Leader.

What is your top tip to dealing with the stay at home policy?
The first thing I did was order some paints, which kept me busy during Lockdown. I created a weekly timetable, which keeps me busy throughout the day, including what exercise I’m going to do and what I am going to eat. This has really helped me to keep organised as well!

How are you staying active?
During lockdown, my gym created an online platform so I could do all my classes at home. I even hired a spin bike so that I could keep that going too! Once we were allowed outside, I started walking around the Marina every day. It felt so good to be outside and walking again. Now my gym has opened up and they have really good safety measures in place, I am doing gym classes IN the gym. It is so nice to be back.

What is your favourite food?
I pretty much love any food! Every week, I Zoom my mum and my sister and we learn to cook things together. We have made pizzas, bagels and gnocchi all from scratch. My favourite food of all time is an açai bowl! I just love how refreshing and tasty they are!

How do you relax in the evenings?
I try to keep my routine as much like I would in school as possible, so I exercise once I have finished my work for the day. Then I tend to find a series on Netflix to watch or chat to some family or friends.

Mrs Al Doush

What is your full name? 
Elham Ahmad Al Doush

What do you teach?
I teach Arabic B.

What is your top tip to dealing with the stay at home policy?
My top tip is to allocate time to activities that can lift up your spirits, such as board games, sports and video calling friends and family.

How are you staying active?
To stay active, I go jogging and cycling with my family for one hour, five days a week until my face turns red.

What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is a traditional Palestinian dish called ‘Maqlooba’ which translates into ‘upside down’ as it is flipped from the pot into a big plate when served. It is a very tasty dish containing rice, eggplant, potato, cauliflower and is usually served with chicken.

How do you relax in the evenings?
Most evenings, my family and I end our day with a fun movie.

DESS awards season continued this month to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our Sporting Superstars.

Preparations have been well under way throughout the home learning period to make it a virtual extravaganza! This year, we held two separate ceremonies; one for Year 3&4 and the other for Year 5&6. We wanted to highlight all the amazing achievements of students in a plethora of Sports and Activities.

The PE Department would like to thank, in no particular order, the following:

• Pupils: You are the reason we love our jobs and make it all worthwhile. Whether it be in lessons, at clubs, competitions, fixtures, training, weekday and weekends; you always give 100% and are fantastic sportswomen and sportsmen.
• Coaching staff: All those who help-out at ECA’s and assist in coaching our teams. We couldn’t offer as much as we do – to as many students as we do – without you all. All of you pay an integral part in our Sporting Community and we are eternally grateful.
• Parents: The support we get from you also makes our jobs worthwhile. The respect, pride and trust we receive from you is world class. Thank you for supporting your child in Sport as well as within PE lessons.
• The Brownlee Brothers: Alistair and Jonny Brownlee – world champion Triathletes – were our guest speakers this year. Not only are they exceptional athletes they are exceptional role models to our students. We really appreciate them both taking time out of their busy schedules to send a special message to our students.

We would like to congratulate everyone on their awards but special mention goes to our Sportswoman and Sportsman of the year 2020; Olivia Ashcroft and Reinier Kruger. Both athletes have been outstanding role models to all students throughout their time at DESS, as well as achieving great success in a multitude of sports.

Lastly, to our wonderful Year 6 cohort who move onto pastures new. We look forward to seeing a lot of you at DESC next year, or another school, and we hope that every single one of you has a great start in Year 7. Take forward your great enthusiasm, love of learning, respect and energy into your new school. We can’t wait to hear what teams you all get onto!

Take care over the summer holidays and be sure to keep your fitness up throughout. Try to practice and perfect key skills in a range of sports and challenge yourself to achieve great things. We look forward to welcoming you all back when school returns.

Healthy Regards,

Miss Waugh

PE and Sports 2020

The 2019/2020 Year in PE and Sport has been unlike any other and we have all got our fingers crossed that we will never be in this situation again! However, as with any adversity there have been so many positives to take away.  The spirit of the DESS community has shone through again this year and the DESS PE Department are very grateful to all the DESS students who have given so much in PE Lessons and Sport this year. Watching your hard work in PE lessons, Beat the Teachers and Live Webex ECAs has kept the PE Teachers inspired each and every day – so thank you to all the DESS students and we can’t wait to see you back in PE lessons and on the sporting pitch next year!

Sporting Success 2019.2020

With the end of the school year fast approaching, it’s easy to forget all the amazing sport which took place this year before the remote learning period began.  And despite only being half a year, DESS still managed to again dominate the sporting landscape in Dubai with some exception results. Thank you to all the classroom teachers and parents who supported us in the achievements this year.

Some of our highlights from the year include:

• BSME Netball Champions
• DC 7’s and 10’s Rugby Champions
• Dubai Swimming A League Champions
• DESC 7’s Football, Netball and Overall Champions
• DESS Festive Football and Netball Champions
• Repton Girls Football Tournament Champions
• Girls Cross-Country Relay Champions
• Division 1 Aquathlon Champions

To see all our amazing highlights of another fantastic year of sport at DESS please watch this video.

Forgotten Champions – BSME Games Squad 2020

We would also like to make special mention of a group of children who were denied the opportunity to compete at the pinnacle event of their DESS sporting careers, and that is our BSME Games Squad.  After winning 3 of the past 4 BSME Games, we were very confident that this team again would be standing high on the podium in many of the sports at the Games.  Unfortunately, as we all know, they didn’t get the chance to compete in Abu Dhabi, but we would like to recognize your dedication and hard work in training and preparing for the BSME Games 2020 for the past few years.  Please use this as motivation to continue working hard and not to ever take any opportunity for granted – give 100% to everything you do!  We wish you all the very best in your future sporting careers!

Race to Mount Everest

Hooray! The DESS staff have all arrived at Mount Everest!

In First place we have LEOPARDS

In Second place we have the JAGUARS

In third place we have LYNX

In Fourth place we have PANTHERS

Well done everyone and a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to all the children who have been cheering on your teachers. We couldn’t have done it without your support and encouragement.
 
Huge congratulations to our staff member who has walked the most steps during the challenge to reach Mount Everest….

Queen of the Mountain is Sonia Rosetti from FS

Remote Learning at DESS - Bravery

Bravery

This week, our focus was on the character strength, bravery. Bravery is having the courage to act despite the presence of fear, challenge or risk. Again, this is something that each of us have shown consistently over the past few months; every day, facing the unknown and uncertainty, yet embracing whatever has come our way.

We strive to encourage the children to see that bravery does not only exist in extreme circumstances; that in fact brave acts happen all around us. We wanted the children to think about people in their lives they consider brave and what makes that person brave?

Don’t forget there are many ways you can communicate with us:

Parent / Teacher Communication: Parents can communicate with the class teachers using the designated class email.

Parent / School Communication: Parents will continue to contact the school via Jacqui Thurley or Reception for general enquiries.

Social media: Please share your comments on our social media platforms. We love receiving your messages and tweets. Don’t forget to include the following hashtags: #InThisTogether #InThisTogetherDubai #WeHaveGotThis #DESStrongerThanEver #DESSremotelearning #RemoteLearning

Star of the Week

We are proud to announce that the following children each received Star of the Week. Well done to everyone!

Thursday 25th June 2020