In a vibrant display of collaborative leadership, the Student Life Organization General Assembly- SLOGA 2023 brought together student representatives from SABIS^® schools across the UAE on November 18 at SIS Yas Island. The assembly marked a resounding success, with participation from SIS Yas Island, SIS-Ruwais, SIS-Al Jada, ISC-Abu Dhabi, ISC-Khalifa, ISC-Al Ain, ISC- Dubai, ISC-DIP, ISC-Sharjah, ISC-Ajman, ISC-UAQ, and ISC-RAK.

The day kicked off by extending a warm welcome to participating prefects, SLCs, school administrators, and directors. A brief yet crucial reminder highlighted the significance of the Student Life Organization within the SABIS^® network.

Throughout the day, representatives from each SLO department engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions, pooling their ideas and expertise to tackle common challenges. The atmosphere was one of shared learning and innovative thinking, reflecting the commitment of student leaders to enhance their schools’ communities.
As the day unfolded, each SLO department had the time to present new ideas, and challenges they face throughout the academic year and propose innovative solutions. This platform provided a comprehensive overview of the collective efforts and creative problem-solving skills demonstrated by prefects presenting the 9 departments of SLO as well as the Head prefect of each school.

The next step involves a collective commitment to follow through on the challenges discussed during SLOGA. Participants are encouraged to implement the proposed solutions, fostering an ongoing culture of improvement and collaboration. Periodic SLCs and deputy head prefects’ meetings will be held to ensure proper implementation of the suggested solutions.

Organizers thanked the SLO leadership teams for their dedication, commitment, and their active participation. The success of SLOGA 2023 stands as a testament to the power of students’ leadership and collaboration across the UAE. We do not doubt that the event’s impact is poised to leave a lasting impression on student leaders and their collective journey toward a brighter future.

To bring together the SLO leadership teams of both ISC-Khalifa and Al Ain.  

Throughout the day, prefects had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops that covered topics like effective communication, team building and goal setting. These sessions provided the SLO leadership teams of ISC-Khalifa City and ISC Al Ain with valuable skills and strategies to enhance their leadership abilities and bring about a positive change in both schools. The Mini Conference also gave the prefects the opportunity to share ideas and seek solutions for challenges they may face. 

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On August 15^th, SABIS^®ULINK hosted Michael, a prefect from ISC-Sharjah, United Arab Emirates who was touring Shanghai, to share with the students his experiences and techniques as a shadow teacher, and his effective home-learning strategies.

Our Head Prefect Johnson met Michael at the Student Life Training Confernce in Egypt. When the whole class met Michael, the classroom burst into applause. Michael has been a shadow teacher since fifth grade. He shared with the students the benefits of being a shadow teacher as well as the benefits to join and be active within the Student Life Organization.

Through Michael and our prefects' sharing, now I have a better understanding of online learning. Perhaps in the coming years, we will learn how to study independently and truly experience the joy of studying, and implement practical actions to achieve true lifelong learning. I believe I can discover more valuable and meaningful things. During this period, we should also learn self-discipline, cultivate the habit of reviewing after class, and consolidate the new knowledge. More importantly, SABIS allows me to manage my own learning journey and progress together with classmates through mutual assistance. This is an experience I have never had or imagined before. I have this valuable chance to truly express myself. We are grateful to SABIS^® for providing us with this unique platform to showcase ourselves and discover our true potential. We will make full use of all the resources SABIS^® provides us, enhance ourselves and fully unfold our personal value.

Teacher’s day is a special day dedicated to every teacher. It spreads love between students and teachers and shows appreciation for every teacher’s hard work. It increases bonds.

Management prefects kindly asked the lower grades students and teachers to line up and made a speech to thank the teachers for their hard work and their devotion. During home time, students passed by each class and sang a few songs while passing out small gifts to each teacher to make them feel special.

Our teachers were very surprised and ended up loving our gifts! Their smiles were precious. 

 

In order to beautify their school, the Management department prefects organized a painting and decorating activity for all those interested in improving their school. Many students partook in this activity and it made them all proud to contribute to the betterment of their school.

Student: we’re so excited to see the new look of the school.

One of our students, Zunnaira Waheed, a Grade 9 Student at the International School of Choueifat in Muscat published a novel on Amazon.

Zunaira Waheed is a 14 year old high school student. She is a young author and motivational speaker. Many of her articles have been published in different magazines around the world. Her first published book is “That Night”.

She has also written a plethora of articles and fictional stories which have been published on various platforms including magazines, blogs and social media channels.

She wrote an anthology with many talented writers titled “Blessings of life in 2020” that has recently been published. 108 writers dived deeper into what the year meant to them in the hope of inspiring readers.

A number of her articles such as “Where Are You?” “Forgiveness and Freedom” “Count the Blessings” and many more have been published at Ravi magazine where she has been awarded with the writer’s tag.

Her book “That Night” is a mystery book from the perspective of a teenage girl that runs away from home one night upon seeing things she hadn’t seen even in her worst of nightmares. Far from hope, she gets a fake id and becomes a completely new person. She does all that she can to insure she isn’t found by the man that she had seen on that unfortunate night. She doesn’t know who is or what he wants, all she knows is that he’s coming for her and she has to do everything she can to insure she isn’t found. However, life has a twisted sense of humor and everywhere she goes, she can feel him following her.

In order to make this academic year memorable, it was decided to figure out a way to create a class and staff photograph. Of course, the only way to carry this out for us was virtual. 

We looked into the option of taking a screen grab on MSTEAMS during a class or staff meeting. We ran into huge problems and the final product wasn't what we wanted.  We then decided to ask all students and staff to send us an up-to-date photograph because our student/staff ID cards photographs were 2–3-years old. After receiving the pictures, we would edit them together, in a SABIS(R) frame creating a virtual photograph.  

It was a huge effort and took a lot of time to pull it off.  Getting all the students to send us their picture, in correct uniform was a nightmare. A few of our new students sent us  pictures in their normal clothes since they haven't been able to come to school and buy the uniform.. Some students just did not send us anything, so we had to use older pictures of what we had in stock.   

The pictures will be uploaded to SDP so students, parents and staff can download them and keep them as a reminder of a very memorable year.

 

A Mock United Nations event was held to hone the students' research skills related to world affairs.  The chosen topic was the Kashmir Crisis and 30 students participated. The event ran after school over the 3^rd and 4^th of March from 3:30 to 7:30pm. the delegates were set up in a circular fashion spaced out to ensure social distancing between the members of congress.

Student submitted their position papers and voiced the opinion of the country they represented over the course of the sessions. Countries had to mend relations and try to solve the issue of the Kasmir Crisis between Pakistan and India.

The MUN concluded with the committee giving out awards for best position paper, best new delegate, best argument fought or defended.

 It was such a great event to be a part of and see student leadership in full swing, the event ran so well and the topics and position papers were so well thought out it was great to see. James Deegan

 

In order to distribute the SLO^® Bookmarks in an effective and memorable way and celebrate the first 100 days of school, a treasure hunt was organized by the Student Life Organization. The hunt also focused on teaching the students about the SLO^® Honor Code.

1. KG to Grade 1 celebrated the 100 days with crowns, animation, and prefects dressed as cartoon characters and gave out stickers and bookmarks.
2. Grade 2 to 8 had to travel between different stations manned by prefects where they had to write the particular honor code entry associated with that station. Once they filled in their sheet, they received a bookmark and stickers.