Teach Middle East Magazine Sep-Oct 2017 Issue 1 Volume 5 | Page 25

Featured School
The Westminster School Approach
Students at TWS are heavily involved in hands-on and project based learning , so much so that the school has developed its own approach . Every project carried out by the students , now follows a four-part approach ; discover it , live it , evaluate it and embed it . In September 2016 , the school participated in the KHDA Lighthouse Project and used their approach to great success with the then grade 6 cohort of students . Students carried out a project on integrity . They had to show integrity ( Live it ) by modelling appropriate interactions with each other , staff and parents inside and outside of school . Students were encouraged to look for ( Discover it ) ways in which they could encourage others to act with integrity . In December of that year , students assessed the impact of the project on members of their year group and the school ( Evaluate it ). At the end of the year , the project was rolled out to the whole school , in a bid to create a whole school culture of happiness and wellbeing ( Embed it ).
Steam at TWS
At TWS , STEAM is an integral part of the school ’ s theme based curriculum . Students from year 1 to year 8 take part in the school ’ s STEAM programme . STEAM is an educational approach to learning , that uses ; Science , Technology , Engineering , the Arts and Mathematics , as access points for guiding student inquiry , dialogue , and critical thinking . The end results are students who ; take thoughtful risks , engage in experiential learning , persist in problem-solving , embrace collaboration , and work through the creative process . These are the innovators , educators , leaders , and learners of the 21st century !
The school hosts various STEAM weeks in which there is a concerted effort to allow the students to showcase their learning . During the STEAM weeks Cycle 1 , 2 and 3 students learn to organise their work , using mathematical concepts , while researching scientists and historians , through the use of technology and finally , presenting their work through the use of the Arts .
TWS Innovation Conference 2017
On the 18th and 19th of June 2017 , just
Students at TWS celebrate the UAE National Day .
over three hundred educators attended the Innovation Conference , hosted by TWS . The conference explored the world of Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and its use in education . The conference began with an in-depth look at what AI is and its relevance to our everyday life and the education sector , in particular . Attendees got a chance to interact with AI and were even treated to a conference session conducted by “ SIRI ” the “ intelligent ” personal assistant found on most Apple devices . There were also other engaging workshops organised by universities , around the topics of Robotics , 3D Printing and Augmented Reality . The conference was a great success and plans are already underway for an even bigger and better event in 2018 .
TEDx Youth at TWS
TEDx Youth are globally known events , which are designed to empower and inspire young people . TWS is one of the first schools in the region to host a TEDx Youth event . The idea behind hosting these events , is to engage and stimulate the next generation . The school held its first event on November 21st , 2016 . Under the watchful eyes of their teachers and peers , students confidently spoke on a number of topics including ; Technology , Social Media , The Real Definition of Beauty , How to Say No and The Effects of Always Using Emoji ’ s . The performances were outstanding and students are already preparing for the next event .
Outstanding Academic Performance at TWS
Over the years TWS has performed very well both locally and internationally . Its students have been accepted to some of the most prestigious tertiary institutions around the world . Students continually do the school and themselves proud , by attaining some of the highest marks in the Cambridge IGCSE , AS and A level examination . In 2015 MAHMOUD MOHAMED MAHMOUD SAAD ABOUAMER achieved the top mark in the United Arab Emirates for Physics , while in the same year AHMED TAREK MOHAMED MOHAMED GEAISSA was also top in the country for Information and Communication Technology . The school has also been the recipient of the H . H . Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Special Achievement in several categories .
What ’ s next for TWS ?
With a great leader at the helm , a team of dedicated staff and ambitious students , the school has its sights firmly set on being rated as very good or outstanding during the next round of DSIB inspections . TWS is determined to continue being a happy and healthy school , as it continues to strive to integrate excellence beyond borders . We wish them all the success and will be here to celebrate with them as they continue to soar to new heights .
Class Time | | Sep - Oct 2017 | 23