Dear Parents,
Another great week, especially for those who attended our Secondary School Learning Conference! The alumni, the Key Note speakers, the seminar leaders, you will agree, were all excellent. Thank you for the positive feedback and congratulations to all those involved in this prestigious event.
WHO’S WHO
I would like to officially inform you that Mr Diego García is now our Director Técnico following the early retirement of our longstanding, loyal Mrs 
Rosa Vicente. Rosa worked with us at Aloha College from 1982 and is fondly remembered by staff, pupils and alumni for her dedication to her students. Sadly, due to ill health, she had to retire earlier than expected.
Some of Diego’s main functions are to guide myself and the Heads of section to ensure Aloha College fulfils all that the Spanish Education authorities require of a British school in Spain. He regularly meets with the Spanish Regional Inspector (Andalucía) to submit official documents and to discuss and inform of developments in Aloha College. Diego’s main function is as a Primary classteacher but you will see him moving from teaching to helping pupils in the Secondary school to ensure their academic qualifications are convalidated where needed and to help research suitable Spanish universities.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Thank you so much to the PTA and its helpers for their endless work in preparing for today’s event. I look forward to spending time talking with many of you whilst drinking delicious hot coffee and choosing from among the wonderful array of dishes cooked by our international mums and dads. Thank you, parents, for your support of this traditional Aloha family event.
Father Christmas will arrive in style and looks forward to listening to your children’s endless requests for gifts! The money raised at the Bazaar will be carefully spent and of course we will inform you exactly how.
Please remember that whilst we prepare for Christmas, many children in Togo, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and Trinidad will be receiving generous gifts contained in the Christmas boxes organised by Ms Verinder, in our “Operation Christmas Child” campaign. Thank you to all those who contributed.
Please note that parking will be difficult today as we expect a large number of families. I would ask you therefore to be considerate about where you park. Last year the police had to come and hand out some fines, so let’s avoid that! It is also important for the safety of our children.
UPDATE ON RAMSEY
Ramsey is now settled back in the UK with his family, awaiting a bone marrow transplant. I am thrilled to tell you he is now attending school and studying A levels. He is not forgotten here!
See you all shortly – Ho ho ho!
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Batchelor
Principal
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
As you receive this newsletter the Christmas Bazaar is probably well under way and hopefully, our special guest, Father Christmas, has arrived. He caused a lot of excitement on Monday during our assembly when he telephoned Mrs Batchelor and I to say that he was on his way. The children promised to be ‘extra good’ this week and haven’t disappointed.
Foundation Stage parents experienced this first hand on Thursday, as they joined in activities learning about bears with their children. Once again the number of parents was outstanding and such a treat for the little ones. Thank you to all who could attend.
Thank you also to all who donated items for the Bazaar. The Children’s Prize Draw will take place next Wednesday 5 December on the top pitch at 15:15 h.
Next weekend is a long holiday followed by a week of concerts in the Primary School and the Caritas collection. It is still important for your child to be attending school and therefore I need to remind you that any future absences are requested in writing using this form.
Next week’s target: MORALITY
Talk Homework: What is your favourite story? Which characters do you like and why? If you could be a book character what would you be?
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Salmon
Headteacher, Primary
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
There is nothing I enjoy more than talking about Mathematics so I was thrilled when Ms Turner asked me if I could include something in this week’s newsletter on a subject she also loves.
There has been a huge team effort in the recent Mangahigh COBIS Mathematics competition across the College. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students who have taken part.
I am delighted to announce that Aloha College will host one of the most prestigious International Middle School Mathematics Competition (ISTMF) from 5 to 7 April 2019. There will be approximately 180 students and 60 teachers coming from around the world to take part.
The Mathematics department is buzzing with excitement and already organising what it promises to be a highly successful event.
How can students get involved in this International Mathematics Competition?
Key Stage 3 students – this competition is for teams of three students born on 1st September 2004 or later. We will be able to enter two teams and will be running a selection process on Monday 10 or Tuesday 11 December. Students should see the KS3 Noticeboard or talk to their maths teacher for more details.
Key Stage 4 students – we will be needing lots of help to host the students and teachers during the weekend. More details will follow after Christmas.
Key Stage 5 students – this is a fantastic opportunity to plan and carry out a CAS project. We would like teams of year 12 students to run activities on the beach on Friday night ( 5 April 2019), welcome guests to the hotel, and organise aspects of the competition in school during the weekend. Ms Sweeting will be circulating more details so please look out for these.
Yours sincerely,
Francisco Escobar
Headteacher, Secondary
