Dear Parents and Children,

Another academic year draws to a close and as usual at this time the remaining few weeks are hectic! The annual end of year production rehearsals are in full swing. (Please see the later section for concert arrangements). The annual end of year report will be issued on Sunday 15th June and Parent’s Evenings are scheduled to follow that. Teachers are looking forward to the chance to discuss and celebrate the year’s achievement with you. Sign up sheets for the Parent’s Evenings are located in the reception area.

The last Newsletter reported the staff changes at the end of this academic year. I am pleased to be able to confirm the names and details of the new teachers and nurse who will be joining us. (Please see attached list). Letters went out last week informing parents and children of class teachers for the next academic year. Where possible, children will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher and to see their new classroom on Thursday 19th June. When visiting their new classrooms, the teacher will spend a short time talking to the children about the expectations for the next year. For children whose class teacher will be new, the year group teacher and Key Stage Managers will explain the outline of the year group and will show them a photograph of their new teacher.

It is with sadness that we will also be saying goodbye to Mrs Suzanne McConnell at the end of this term. Mrs McConnell has been with Kings’ since before it opened as PA to Mr Stedman and has been a tremendous support to us both. We thank Mrs McConnell for her contribution to the success of Kings’ Dubai. She will be devoting her time to settling her son into university in the UK. We wish her every success for the future.

The academic year 2008/09 will operate slightly differently at Kings’: The Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 Managers will be released from their classes for some time during the week to enable them to concentrate on their management duties. The Senior Management Team from September 2008 will consist of the following members and their respective partners for the classroom teaching.

Mrs Debbie Watson, Headteacher Mr Peter Whitehead, Key Stage 2 Manager Miss Amy Simpson, Key Stage 1 Manager with Mrs Harwood 2 days teaching Miss Vicky Ogilvie, Foundation Stage Manager with Mrs McKenzie 1 day teaching Mrs Caroline Anderson, Specialist Teachers Manager Mr Jon Watson, Assessment Manager Mr Whitehead, Key Stage 2 Manager will not have a class commitment but will have a 50% commitment to PE along with Miss Frame who will be the new full time PE Specialist. Both Miss Frame and Mr Whitehead has PE degrees and teaching qualifications.

The Kings’ Ball held at the Shangri La Hotel on 29th May was a resounding success raising over Dhs50,000 for our nominated charities: All as One Orphanage and The Macmillan Nurses. It was fantastic to see so many parents enjoying themselves whilst raising money for good causes.

I must extend my sincere thanks to some very special people who made the event happen. To "The Committee": Nicola Tomlinson, Sharon Hutchinson, Lorna Regan, Marie Quigley and Caroline Gavigan - your effort, commitment and determination was tireless! To John Gavigan, our MC for the evening, whose wit and humour casually led us through the proceedings. To our very own band "All the Kings’ Men": Caroline Anderson, Jon Watson, Jonny Penman and Jaison George who rehearsed and prepared leading up to the event to ensure we were thoroughly entertained with a variety of music. To Martin Gravestock and his team at ’Access all Areas’ who once again did yet another fantastic job with the lighting and sound. To ’Kelloggs’ - chief sponsor of the event and to all the other the companies and personnel who generously donated prizes, money and their services to ensure the night was a professional and prestigious occasion.

We will be having an assembly to acknowledge the funds raised throughout the year for our nominated charities on Tuesday 17th June at 8:00am. Representatives from both ’All As One’ and ’MacMillan Nurses’ will accept donation

May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support this year, particularly since I have taken over as Headteacher. Your best wishes and words of encouragement have meant a great deal to me - thank you.

To those of you moving onto pastures new at the end of term I wish you every success; to those of you traveling, I wish you a safe journey and to those of you staying in Dubai I wish you cool air conditioning!

With all best wishes for a peaceful summer.

Best wishes

Mrs Debbie Watson

Headteacher