Dear Parents,
A busy week for all, in particular for Year 6 who experienced life in the Secondary section of the school. They spent four days following a typical Year 7 timetable to help prepare them for September. The feedback to me was “Brill, Miss, you get to light a Bunsen burner in Science”. I received some wonderful messages from Secondary staff stating what a well-motivated, happy group of children they were. Well done Year 6!
YEAR 13 PROM
As I write this letter Year 13 will be preparing for their final Aloha social event – the annual prom. By the time you read this letter it will all be over. Last night 53 pupils and their chosen guest enjoyed a memorable evening at the Guadalpin Banus hotel. It is great to see them all happy and relaxed, relieved that their exams are over. However, it is always sad for me personally because in a few weeks’ time they will graduate from Aloha College and venture out into their chosen university, which might be anywhere in the world. Lots of photos were taken, some I will share in next week’s newsletter including the King and Queen of the prom. Many thanks must go to Mrs Ruth Cooper, parent and Board member, who helped Miss McGirl to prepare this event. Thank you Ruth, it was much appreciated by staff and pupils.
BASKETBALL
Congratulations to our “Minibasket” team who, for the second consecutive year, made the Final Four in basketball in the province of Málaga. A new sporting success for our pupils who put in all the effort and teamwork during the whole season.
CHARITY DAY
Please remember there will be a non-uniform day on Friday 7 June to support our final charity “Collective Calling”. The photo below shows the progress of vegetable plots by the education centre we are going to support. The hope is that within two years these plots will start producing enough crops to become self-sufficient. Please support this day by sending a minimum of 2€. Once again I thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Please note that this year our Summer School will run from Monday 8 July – Friday 26 July. Summer School is always fun and this year we have prepared all sorts of new exciting activities for your children.
NEW UNIFORM
Thank you for all the positive feedback I have received regarding the new uniform.
Have a lovely relaxing weekend.
Your sincerely
Elizabeth Batchelor
Principal
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
Year 6 Transition Days – Team Year 6 had a fabulous four days in the Secondary School in preparation for Year 7 in September. They became more familiar with the buildings and their new teachers. They enjoyed the freedom of choice at break times and of course the Tuck Shop was a big hit! I have been receiving positive comments all week from teachers of all subjects who have been impressed by their behaviour and positive attitude to learning. Next week they will complete their final assessments and then we are all looking forward to the Year 6 Graduation Assembly on Friday 21 June in the Hall (children will soon be receiving a special invitation).
Year 5 children thoroughly enjoyed their first residential trip together. They spent 3 days at Wakana in the Natural Park of the Alcornocales (Cádiz). They enjoyed a range of outdoor activities around the lake. They may even have discovered the ancient tartessian city of Atlantis which is rumoured to have been in this location. Most importantly though they showed that they are a great team collaborating, exploring, caring, sharing and having fun!
Feria Day Celebrations – On Friday 7 June, we will celebrate the local Marbella Feria, San Bernabé (Patron Saint of Marbella). Children can wear traditional flamenco dress or non-uniform, and we ask that they bring a minimum of €2 to support our “Collective Calling” charity day. We shall end the day with a special Feria which will include performances by the Flamenco Club and guests. This will take place in the Arts & Sports Hall at 15:00 h. Parents are invited to ‘get in the mood’ by joining each other for music and drinks from 14:30 h on their way to their seats. Parents will collect children at 15:50 h directly from the Arts & Sports Hall. Remember, on Tuesday 11 June the school will be closed.
Have a lovely weekend
Your sincerely
Kathryn Salmon
Headteacher, Primary
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
Not a day goes by when I do not hear or read the word happiness. This term has become the trending topic of the 21st century. I can say confidently that the constant search for happiness has become almost an obsession; just do a quick search on the Internet and you will find that, in less than 1 second, you will get 141 million results on the subject.
I will never forget the look on a student’s face when he came to tell me that he was feeling sad. “I’m glad to know you’re sad,” I said. Stunned at my reaction, he asked, “Do you really want to see me sad?” I explained that we are taught to automatically reject sadness. However, we should not forget that going through a period when we are not 100% is also positive – the key is to understand that this feeling is only temporary and to know how to handle this emotion.
We have placed so much emphasis on happiness and positive thinking that we tend to forget the importance of coping with moments of anger, frustration and sadness. All these negative emotions have something to teach us about ourselves and, without them, it would be impossible to know what happiness is.
Experts say that sadness is as authentic as happiness. They affirm that moments of joy and intense feelings of happiness only make sense because they contrast strongly with our experiences of disappointment and sadness.
We all want our children to be happy, but at the same time they must learn to cope with disappointment, failure, and even injustice. We have to experience all kinds of emotions, both good and bad; there is always something that we can learn from them.
I hope you have a good weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Francisco Escobar
Headteacher, Secondary
