1. MILESTONES
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
EDITORIAL
A healthy mind in a healthy body!
What keeps the humans going is FOOD. It was this fact that occupied our
thoughts while planning for the new term in September, 2010. Thankfully
we are living in a country that specifically focuses on the grooming and
nurturing of young minds through education and healthy food. The items
to be sold in the school canteen for the students were carefully selected
and due importance was given to the price range and the portion served.
All this was sufficiently supported by the School Management and the
school canteen shows itself in new light of ‘eat healthy and stay healthy’.
Our students enjoy this facility to their utmost satisfaction during recess.
Aspiration and Inspiration are the two driving forces that propel humanity to
move forward. Read and enjoy the entries in this issue.
William Kamkwamba’s parents couldn’t afford the $80 yearly tuition for their son’s school. The boy sneaked into the classroom anyway, dodging
administrators for a few weeks until they caught him. Still emaciated from the recent deadly famine that had killed friends and neighbours, he went
back to work on his family’s corn and tobacco farm in rural Malawi, Africa.
With no hope of getting the funds to go back to school, William continued his education by teaching himself, borrowing books from the small
library at the elementary school in his village. One day, when William was 14, he went to the library searching for an English-Chichewa dictionary
to find out what the English word “grapes” meant, and came across a fifth-grade science book called Using Energy. Using Energy described how
windmills could be used to generate electricity.
Only two percent of Malawians have electricity, and the service is notoriously unreliable. William decided an electric windmill was something he
wanted to make. Illuminating his house and the other houses in his village would mean that people could read at night after work. A windmill to
pump water would mean that they could grow two crops a year rather than one, grow vegetable gardens, and not have to spend two hours a day
hauling water. “A windmill meant more than just power,” he wrote, “it was freedom.”For an educated adult living in a developed nation,
designing and building a wind turbine that generates electricity is something to be proud of. For a half-starved, uneducated boy living in a country
plagued with drought, famine, poverty, disease, a cruelly corrupt government, crippling superstitions, and low expectations, it’s another thing
altogether. It’s nothing short of monumental.
The Boy who harnessed the Wind
Pristine Private School
A Step Closer
Rainbow Parade
Number Magic
Alex in Wonderland
Arabic Spelling Competition
Mathematics & ICT
Business matters
Environmental news
Eid-ul-Adha
Maulad-un-Nabi
Students Contribution
In this Issue
Editorial Team:
Mrs. Seema Afroze Editor
Mrs Lakshmy Prem Sub Editor
Mrs Jameel Anjum Sub Editor
Mrs. Amna Manzoor Creative Team Leader IT
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3. The Academic year 2010-2011
marked the beginning of A levels
at Pristine Private School which
now completes the last level for
our students and makes them
eligible to seek admission in any
university around the world.
Introducing Psychology as a subject
for study at AS level was warmly
welcomed by most of our students
who enthusiastically look forward
for each of the lessons.
It’s been barely three months since
the commencement of the new
academic year and our students
have already had several field trips.
Senior students have not only got
an opportunity to offer community
services but also had a chance to
attend the GETEX University fair.
Teaching has become even more
learner centered with majority of
our classrooms now being
equipped with Inter write boards
the teachers are mere facilitators.
This year our prime focus is to
ensure that we cater to the
need of each student as efficiently
as possible.
More formative assessments during
the course of the year will give
each student an opportunity to
further upgrade their performance
and learning will not remain
limited to end of term exams. We
are also trying to ensure that the
students are able to effectively
apply their knowledge and skills in
various situations leading them to
become confident and responsible
learners.
IGCSE and AS level results for 2010-
11 have once again been quite
rewarding for us and has
strengthened our determination to
produce responsible global citizens
who possess a serious concern for
the environment and have strong
moral values.
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
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4. All students brightly dressed
Make and Taste Tasty Treats
It’s Story Time…..Mouse Paint
Rainbow Parade -A Glimpse
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
Rainbow Parade
To celebrate the spirit of Colours
and Shapes, the Kindergarteners at
Pristine Private School had a special
Rainbow Parade on the 28th of October’2010.
The students were all brightly dressed up in
the seven colours of the rainbow and an array
of colourful displays throughout the school
contributed aptly to this special occasion.
The little ones thoroughly enjoyed their first
on-stage experience, walking proudly with
their teddy bears and dancing to the tune of
the much loved Barney song. A colourful
variety of in house/classroom activities
added to the excitement and
enthusiasm of the students.
A truly bright and wonderful
start to a successful
year ahead!
The Rainbow Parade
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #January 2011
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5. Having fun with Maths has been the basis of our teaching methods in Year 1. To develop
a better understanding of mathematical concepts, many hands- on, interactive lessons are
included in our maths curriculum. Each new concept is adapted in such a manner that
the children learn through play way methods. ‘Quick 5 mental maths quizzes’ is the
warm up for each maths class. Children love to participate in these sessions. All activities
are designed in a way that children learn to perform tasks individually, in pairs or in
groups. Some of the maths lessons enjoyed by Year 1 students include shapes and
patterns and skip counting .Children relate mathematical concepts to real life objects and
compare them with 2D shapes. They enjoy creating their own shape pictures and some
come up with real innovative pictures. They enjoy cutting and pasting shapes and most of
all enjoy comparing the pictures they make with those made by their classmates. The
class further enjoys creating their own shape patterns where they work very well in
groups. The children then walk around to observe other pattern sequences created by
different groups.
Skip counting caterpillars are fun to create too. Children choose their skip counting series
(in two’s, three’s or ten’s ) and write numbers on coloured pieces of paper to create a
caterpillar’s body. Thus children enjoy the craft work along with skip counting. Another
activity enjoyed by the students is creating sticks of 10’s to enhance the skip counting
and place value concepts. It is a paired activity which the class performs very well. Many
more such fun learning activities are yet to follow. It is a pleasure to see how well children
are picking up the concepts as they work and learn.
Shadan Atif
Math Co-ordinator
Year 1
Universal Children’s Day
NUMBER MAGIC
"Children's Day", as an event, is celebrated on
various days in many places around the world, in
particular to honour children. Universal Children's
Day on 20th
November was established to encourage
all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote
mutual exchange and understanding among children
and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote
the welfare of the children. It was also chosen as a
day to celebrate childhood.
As part of our program, Pristine Private School
organized events on 22nd
November to celebrate
childhood and promote the welfare of the children,
the world over.
A well crafted day progressed with activities like:-
Circle time: Enriching our children with the qualities
of sharing and caring, the feeling of friendship and
love, respect for each other and diversity.
Tasty treat, mural collage, music and movement,
exhibited the feeling of togetherness, multicultural
awareness, respect for each other and a feeling of
being special.
Every effort was made to make the children feel free,
dream, play and explore and grow in both body and
mind.
Our efforts shall continue and we shall make our
children feel special early days of their school life.
Childhood is a world of miracle or of magic: it is as if creating a rose
luminously out of the night, all new and fresh and astonishing. Childhood
is over the moment things are no longer astonishing. When the world
gives you a feeling of "déjà vu," when you are used to existence, you
become an adult.
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
Jumana Rajkotwala
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6. Annual Concert
The theme came through beautifully as parents
mentioned how touched they were to see the
young students portray such a meaningful
concept- using the famous children‟s story „Alice
in Wonderland‟, as base.
The lovely dances including the computer dance,
the tea party dance, the flower dance, the farewell
dance etc. enlivened the evening. The vocalists
including the solo singers, the verse choir and the
group singers projected the emotions of the
scenes very well. The theatrical depiction of the
disasters - the earthquake, the tsunami, the heat
wave and the blizzard - were very much
appreciated as the students performed brilliantly.
The sound and light effects by Mr. Akhter were
instrumental in making the disasters seem real.
The props and backdrops by Ms. Mussarat and
Ms. Farzana M. added colour and life to the
whole concert.
The costumes supervised by Mrs. Kapadia,
Supervisor Junior School were fabulous too.
Although all the teachers of Grades 4, 5 and 6
contributed to the success of the event, special
mention needs to be made of Ms. Judy the
choreographer for several dances, Ms. Christina,
our drama teacher and Ms. Praveena, the
coordinator of the drama and music department.
The Concert ended with the „Earth Song‟ sung by
all participants as they entered for the Grand
Finale and filled the hall with the words- „Did you
ever stop to notice the crying earth, the weeping
shores?..” The evening was overall a very
memorable one for the participants, the teachers
and the spectators.
Alex in Wonderland
The triumph of a dreamer!
Arabic Spelling Competition
January 2011
January 2010
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On Thursday, the 25th of November 2010 at 4:45
pm, in the Multi Purpose Hall of our school, The
Annual Concert 2010-11 of grades 4, 5 and 6
commenced with an introduction by Thimaya,
our Head Girl and a welcome speech by Mrs.
Salam, our Headmistress. The Concert was entitled
“Alex in Wonderland - the triumph of a dreamer”
It was the fruition of weeks of hard work put in by
the teachers and students alike. The aim of the
concert was to evoke in the audience a
compassion for the victims and survivors of the
many natural disasters that have been occurring in
various parts of the world. The aim was also to
inform them that for every single step taken to
restore natural life support services, humans take
6,400 steps in the opposite direction, destroying
the planet‟s ability to maintain life.
The significance of every little effort made by us in
helping the survivors was stressed upon. The main
character Alex, played by Muhammad Taha
Qureshi, realizes through his experience in
wonderland, how we have the power to give
meaning to our life by converting our time and
words into instruments of love and hope.
The March Hare, played by Mohammad Hammad
Bin Atif, and the King played by James Cyrus de
Villa were also characters who with their great
acting skills, enlightened Alex as well as the
audience about the transient quality of human
existence.
We are just a moment in the ageless time - a blink
of an eye. And we have just this moment in time
to make a difference in this life.
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8. ICT at PPS has developed dramatically over the
past few years with a motive that Students in the
21st Century need to be equipped with the
challenges of learning in a fast paced and ever
changing world. We now have three designated ICT
Laboratories as well as a Set up of Interactive
White Board from Year 7 onwards throughout the
school. The ICT Department has been successful in
inculcation of following goals
i. Use ICT resources successfully and independently
ii. Show a practical proficiency in using effectively a
number of Microsoft Applications including Ms
Word, Ms Excel and Ms Access Ms Power point,
use of the internet and Web designing.
iii. Comprehend and recognize ICT applications
within everyday situations.
iv. Recognize and value reasons of, and issues
relating to, the protection of data.
v. Be familiar with the importance of ICT in the
continued development of society as a whole.
The ICT concepts and topics from primary school
and elementary are designed to offer a full
assortment of differentiated and applied activities
in order that all students can access ICT
regardless of ability and can use it as a means for a
given purpose. Research on the internet is one of
the advantages of this department; most students
visit the department to access internet for
research in particular subjects so as to accomplish
tasks given to them by teachers. This encourages
the learners to be self driven in reading and
researching ahead of the teacher, thereby avoiding
a situation of spoon feeding. At Key Stage 1 and 2,
we are using Techno Series and Global Link
respectively. These Series include active learning
and practice sessions.
Key stage 4 is now skilled in ICT. In years 9 and 10
all students will be working on the CIE Course
0417 for Information Communication Technology
to obtain IGCSE equivalent at the end of year 10.
In 2012, Year 12/A2 batch will be appearing in
the Applied ICT Exams, students who opted to take
AS level ICT, will follow the Cambridge A level
specification for Applied ICT.
Mrs. Erum Atif
Co-ordinator of Senior School
Head of ICT Department
Math department ict department
[
H
It was our desire to assess the students for
learning math before the lessons for the
new term. Aptitude test gave us a direction
to plan our teaching strategies that would
facilitate learners of differentiated
capabilities. There were a few remarkable
observations regarding math learning
trends between genders. Boys mostly
enjoyed and explored the mathematical
concepts whereas girls practiced
systematic approach towards problem
solving. Although a few explored their
potential to its fullest. Students are
encouraged to contribute to class and
group discussions efficiently. Mathematics
Department has set the objective to
promote the use of internet as a learning
resource, and in order to achieve this goal,
mostly students are guided and expected to
explore sites with the site list provided to
them.
A variety of projects for each grade has
been assigned to break the major learning
objectives to a portion that conveniently
allows learning in a range of forms, such as
research, collecting data, analyzing it then
derive a conclusion on its basis This year
school has started (math classes) after
school, to enhance mathematical and
problem solving skills of our students and
we hope to participate in inter school Math
Competitions.
Ms. Nisreen Iqbal.
Head of Mathematics Dept.
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE
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9. The commerce department began the new academic year on
a note of celebration as it rejoiced a hundred % result in the
board examination of summer 2010. With ambitious plans of
expansion the department prepares its first batch for GCE A-
level examination for summer 2011. This year also welcomes
a big batch of 18 students opting for the commerce stream in
Grade 9.
Keeping in view the growing number, the department has
taken an initiative in increasing the number of resources by
adding to the resources available in the senior library along
with additional web resources and tools to assess the
students during classes. In an attempt to improve the
academic performance of the department further, lesson
plans are designed according to new format giving weight
age to interactive activities and differentiated learning to
assist students in developing a concrete base in each subject.
The introduction of the inter-I board in each class is an
added plus which further enhances the plans based on
differentiated learning and helps create an atmosphere that
is more student oriented.
Coupling with academic initiatives the department is also
focusing on hands on learning through outdoor activities.
The students and the teachers of commerce department will
be going for their first field trip this term as they visit a
bottling plant aiming at learning through practical
experience. Each level has been assigned with respective
projects to be presented in the form of a power point
presentation.
This year also introduces the first "Trade Fair" organized by
the students and the teachers of the commerce department.
This event will be taking place tentatively in the month of
February. The event remains a surprise for a very excited
audience! This will initiate a step further as the department
intends to prepare students to participate in the "YOUNG
ENTREPRENEURS COMPETITION" this year.
Other plans include introduction of new subjects like
enterprising, business math etc. more outdoor activities,
academic achievements ……. AND THE STORY GOES ON!
Business matters
January 2010 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
Mrs.Sindu Prasad
Head Commerce Department
Class Presentation
Sana Afghani
AS Level
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10. Environmental Activities
ENVIRONMENTAL CLUBMembers would be collecting it from the
classes.
A recycling centre has also been set up in the
school premises to promote the idea of
recycling.
A specific week every month, has been
assigned for collection of these items and the
club members would be collecting it from the
classes.
Indira K V
Head of Department, Humanities
Pristine Private Schoolhas
been spearheading the environmental
movement in the school through various
activities. The school had won the first
prize in the Can Collection drive organized
by Emirates Environmental Group and this
has given the school a thrust .
In September 2010, the school took part in
the Work Party 2010 organized by Emirates
Environmental Group. The school collected
535 kgs of paper and had a tree planted in
the school’s name in Mushrif Park in
Dubai .
The students from Year 10 , AS and A levels
took part in the clean up drive organized by
the Dubai Municipality . The students
cleaned up a part of the Al Sufouh beach in
Jumeirah.
On the whole, it has been a good beginning
and we hope to continue the efforts in
making Pristine School, a Green Pristine.
The School has formed an environmental
club. The activities of the club include
checking the classroom for littering and
switching off the lights, A C‘s and
computers, etc. The club has also started a
year round campaign for collection of can,
paper , mobile phones.
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
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11. Eid ul Adha Celebrations
The tiny tots of the Kindergarten section at the Pristine Private School marked their Eid-ul-Adha
cerebration on 11th November 2010 , in a manner that befitted being called grandeur personified. The
day kick started with the students arriving at school clad in their festive clothes bringing the festive air
along with them .
The children were shown an audio visual about the story of Eid, highlighting values of tolerance ,
patience and submission lying behind the auspicious celebration . They then exchanged greeting in the
traditional Islamic custom and gave each other their self crafted greeting cards and candy bags . A
'Shamiana ' was put up in the school premises where girls got 'henna' applied and boys applied 'Ithar'
, all of which added zing to the festive mood . The proceedings were then wrapped up with the students
pitching in efforts towards making and relishing traditional sweet .All in all the celebration was indeed
a fiesta packed with glitz .
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
Snapshots of Eid ul Adha
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12. Report on Maulud un Nabi
The Department ofIslamic Studies and Arabic
coordinated and celebratedthe occasion of
Maulud-un-Nabi on 26th
Feb 2010 in
MPH.Students ofyear 3 to 9 participated in
this program. They put their utmost effort to make
this occasion memorable. They elucidated on the
various aspects of Seerah of Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W) through Speeches, Islamic Nasheed
and poem.
The main purpose of these Mailid-un-Nabi
gatherings is to remember, observe, discuss and
celebratethe advent of the birthand teachings ofthe
Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) who was
sent as a sign of mercy not only for the Muslims
but for the entire mankind, without the
discrimination of any cast,color and creed. People
of all nationalities and religions are welcomed to an
inspiration and guidancefor his everlasting Seerah.
. It also inspires us to pause, take stock ofour own
lives and reflect upon the standards the Holy
Prophet had established by way of example. This
occasion also serves as a reminder that whatever
trials and tribulations one faces, theProphet of
Allah faced even greater and yet henever allowed
anger and hatred to determine his actions. Rather
he insisted “love for humanity what you love for
yourself.”
Mrs. Mariam Jameela
Head of Islamic Studies Department
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #January 2011
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13. Another occasion which Islamic Studies and Arabic Department organized was ‘Hajj and
Eid-ul-Adha celebrations’ on 11th November, 2010.
The purpose of celebrating these two festivals was to create awareness and to highlight the
concept of unity of the Muslims in a seamless white dress without the discrimination of
different status of people, cast, color, nationalities and creed. The occasion of Hajj reminds
us remind of Holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) obedience to his Lord.
At the time of Hajj the Pilgrims perform different acts of worship and they renew their faith
and sense of purpose in the world and then they celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. The program
began with the recitation of holy Quran. Students from Year 2 to 10 participated in this
program they recited Nasheed, poem, delivered speeches, demonstrated the rituals of Hajj
and performed a short skit on Eid-ul-Adha.
An Islamic poster competition was
held by the Department of Islamic
Studies. This competition was
organized as part of the educational
program, to enhance the creativity
of students and their understanding
of Islam.
January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
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14. I’d like to describe my friend Sam who is a combination
of many qualities like humour and fun. He is a tall person
with chestnut-blonde hair and eyes as green as grass. Sam is a
very admirable person due to his fun-loving personality. Though
he is not a well-organized person, he handles responsibilities
very well. Sam is very kind at heart and extremely caring. I
remember when I were playing football and injured my knee, he
was the first person to rush and take me to the nurse.
Sam is a very supportive as well as a helpful person. Once
when I was frightened to go on to the stage for poetry recitation,
he morally-supported me and helped boost my self-confidence.
He is a very respectful and well behaved person too.I feel I’m
lucky to have a dear friend like Sam who is supportive and a
friend on whom I can always rely.
Usman Jafri
Year 9 B
Meet My Friend Sam
MILESTONES VOL. # ONE ISSUE #January 2011
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15. Whitney Azavedo
Year 9 A
FRIENDS and
Friendship
MILESTONES VOL. # ONE ISSUE #January 2011
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16. The emirate of Abu Dhabi is considered a
cosmopolitan metropolis, but there’s plenty to see beyond
the regular malls and parks. Everyone explores the
fabulous malls, leaving the greater outdoors uncharted.
Abu Dhabi caters to a wide variety of interests.
The most talked about and visited place is the Mirfa
public beach. Al Mirfa is a picturesque harbor town
about 120 kilometers outside the city of Abu Dhabi.
It boasts a breathtakingly beautiful coastline and is
host to the annual Water Sports Festival, which is
focused on encouraging people to visit this pristine,
somewhat undiscovered area.
People living in Abu Dhabi get a chance to experience
the incredible beaches, warm waters and rich marine life.
Abu Dhabi locals have always been very warm and
hospitable. In the western region of Abu Dhabi lies
the Liwa oasis. It holds tremendous significance for
Arab people, as the oasis is the birthplace of the ruling
family of Abu Dhabi. It offers refreshing change for
travelers with its fresh-water pools and date plantations.
All in all, Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place and is rich
with scenic coastlines and warm beaches. But I must
say that it is worth visiting once a while.
Aiman Khan
Year 9 A
A Place
worth a
visit –
Abu Dhabi
MILESTONES
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #January 2011
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17. January 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #
MILESTONES
Sri Lanka’s
City Of Light
Nuwar Eliya or ‘The City of Light’, located in the midst of ‘The Pearl of the Indian
Ocean; is a holder of immense beauty. It’s full of lush greenery which stretches for
miles.
At dawn, the glowing sun shines its radiant rays at every corner. You can hear the
bees buzzing, the butterflies fluttering and the chirping of the birds, calling out to
you. The deep breath of fresh air and the fragrance of the scented and bright flowers
would be deeply rooted in your heart. The breath-taking view from the peak is
refreshing, and is definitely worth the climb. Calm and peaceful atmosphere prevails
everywhere.
The citizens are very kind-hearted. Tourists feel very much at home, after a warm
welcome by the citizens. They readily provide help and assistance whenever needed.
Due to the extremely cold climate, hot drinks and food are consumed. Ice-creams are
a rare treat. A long coastline with one of the most beautiful beaches is present,
attracting lots of tourists on a daily basis.
Any business with bustling schedule and appointments should try visiting Nuwar Eliya
because of its relaxing, soothing and tranquil atmosphere.
Asma Naim
Year 9 A
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