Dear Parents,
When I issued my last newsletter we were basking in sunshine at our annual traditional Christmas bazaar. What a wonderful day!!! After a difficult half term many of you expressed your thanks and thought, like me, that it was just what our Aloha family needed.. Once again our most heartfelt thanks go to our hardworking PTA and helpers.
PRIMARY CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Congratulations to all the Primary children who performed in the Christmas concerts this week: they were outstanding. Thank you to all the Primary staff for their hard work – particularly to Miss Kate, Miss Liz Keys and Mr Smith, the Key Stage leaders, and to all the parents who attended.
SECONDARY
On Monday you have the opportunity to enjoy another Christmas spectacular performed by our secondary pupils. This takes place at 18:00h in the Arts and Sports Hall.
CHILDREN’S PRIZE DRAW
This took place on Wednesday 5 December. The happiest pupils were the winners of that highly coveted prize “Lunch with the Principal, Heads of Section and Business Manager”. Congratulations to Katie and Martín from Secondary, and to India P, Savannah, Mara and Bobbie from Primary. They will be the envy of their friends! 😀
SOLIDARITY
Thank you very much for once again supporting Caritas and Crece this week. The Crece calendars will be on sale (€5) for the rest of the term. The photo of our children can be found under “September”.
Mr Toal, Head of PE, and the PE department have once again organised a Christmas challenge – here is how it works: Christmas challenge video
SCHOOL REPORTS
On Wednesday 19 December you will be able to access your child’s school report through the Parent Portal (except for Foundation Stage, who will receive printed copies). Please collect your access codes from Reception if you have not already done so. If you have any queries regarding your child’s report please contact the appropriate Key Stage leader
Please note that our communication with you the parents has greatly improved. However please understand that if an email is sent to a teacher after 17.00 h or indeed at weekends, a teacher is not obliged to reply until the next working day. If there is a very urgent matter then of course the Heads or myself should be contacted. Thank you for your support in this matter.
SCHOOL OPENING HOURS – UNIFORM
During the holidays school will be open on Thursday 20 December from 9:30 h to 13:00 h. It will be closed over Christmas and New Year, to reopen on Thursday 3 January. Hours on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 will be from 9:30 h to 13:00 h. Parents will be able to purchase uniform on those days. Term starts on Tuesday 8 January 2019.
I want to thank all of you, the parents, for your full support during this first term. I wish you a wonderful Christmas with your families and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 8 January at 9:00 h. 
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Batchelor
Principal
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
Unbelievably we have almost reached the end of a very busy term. This week has been full of those very special Primary School moments due to our three outstanding performances. These are the memories we cherish as our children grow. They are also the memories we have from our childhood. Thank you to all who attended, who laughed, cried and sang along with all year groups! As Headteacher, I really couldn’t be more proud of the children and my outstandingly creative and patient team of teachers.
Next Wednesday 19 December you will receive your child’s end-of-term Report (see instructions below). I have enjoyed reading and commenting on each and everyone. It is clear that your children are being challenged and supported to reach their potential but also, in the children’s own words thoroughly “enjoying” their learning. I hope that you take the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in person from 14 to 16 January by booking an appointment online using “Meet the Teacher” (parents will receive instructions and information next week).
Finally, thank you for all your support and cooperation this term. I wish you all a very happy holiday either here in Spain or in the many locations around the world with your families and friends.
Next week’s target: No more plastic cups from January 2019
As an Eco-School we are looking at becoming single-use plastic free. We will be eliminating plastic cups at the school from 2019. All children should be encouraged to ask Santa for a reusable water bottle this Christmas if they do not have one already. Thank you for your participation.
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Salmon
Headteacher, Primary
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
I cannot believe there are only three days left before the end of term and barely two weeks to say goodbye to 2018. It’s time to rest, have fun, reflect on the year which is about to end, but more importantly, recharge batteries to start 2019 full of energy.
A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me the latest advert that the Swedish giant IKEA has chosen for the Christmas season. It is understandable that many companies nowadays appeal to consumers’ emotions in order to sell their product. According to experts, this type of advertising stays in our memory for a long time.
IKEA, on this occasion, has not advertised its product directly but instead decided to send us a really valuable message: ‘Disconnect and reconnect’.
The advert focuses on how little we really know about our families and friends due to our involvement with social media. In the video, different families sit around a table to play the ‘Life Contest’. The game consists of answering questions about celebrities, the latest features introduced on social networks and also about aspects related to the lives of their own family members.
There are immediate answers to ‘What animal filters can you find in Instagram stories?’ or ‘What is the swish swish?’. However, an uncomfortable silence followed by “I don’t know” is the answer to questions such as ‘What is your child’s favourite book?’ or ‘How did your parents meet?’
This advert highlights the fact that we don’t really know our closest ones, but yet we are able to answer any question linked to the celebrities we follow on social media. Society continues to be immersed in a phone screen and far away from reality.
My message to you all is exactly the same as IKEA’s: “Let’s disconnect from the superficial and reconnect with what really matters”.
Here you can watch the advert.
I hope you have a well-deserved rest.
Yours sincerely,
Francisco Escobar
Headteacher, Secondary
