PARENT NEWSLETTER (20 – 24 JANUARY)

  • January 17, 2020
  • Category: Parent Newsletters
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Dear Parents,

New Year’s Resolution

Many of you will have made New Year’s resolutions, including myself: things you are intending to achieve in the New Year.  Many of you – including myself – will have broken them already. Please remember that what we all need to have is Resilience! We have added this value to our existing four, to help our children learn the importance of resilience;  bouncing back when things don’t always go as expected, being determined, not giving up. So once again, a reminder of our school values:

HONESTY         RESPECT          EFFORT  CARE      RESILIENCE

Please talk about these with your children.

Christmas Km Challenge

Adriana Coltorti has shown at least one of these values when, whilst many of us were enjoying an abundance of food during the holiday period, she was steadfastly running. This Year 6 pupil responded to the Christmas Km Challenge by completing an amazing total of 165 km. Congratulations Adriana!

School Nurse

Our new school nurse, Sara, is settling in well and has been very busy getting to know your children.  I asked a couple of them what they thought: 

A Year 9 pupil said “she makes me feel very relaxed” and a Nursery patient commented “she is very kind like my mummy”.

Thank you for all your positive feedback regarding Sara.

Trial Examinations

Year 11 and Year 13 pupils are still busy with examinations.  I hope stress levels in some of your homes are not too high. Please support your children carefully.

Breakfast Club

Please remember that, although we offer the 8.15 Breakfast Club as a free facility to parents, for health and safety reasons all children have to be registered if they are to attend the club.  It is not possible for parents to send their children along to the club in the morning because it is cold outside. I would be grateful for your support on this, as usual, thank you.

Australian Bush Fires

Our thoughts are with all our families from Australia or who have relations there.  We hope their families are safe from danger.

Please enjoy a lovely weekend with your families.

Student Calendar

Please find here access to the Student Calendar 2020-2021.

Please enjoy a lovely weekend with your families.

Yours sincerely

Elizabeth Batchelor

Principal

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Parents’ Evenings this week. As always it is important for home and school to communicate if a child is to achieve the best that they are capable of.

Yesterday I spent a wonderful afternoon with the children who won the November/December ‘Blossom Awards’. These children were selected by their teachers for consistently demonstrating the Personal Goals of thoughtfulness and communication. The children thoroughly enjoyed their special free choice treat time. All decided to be creative and have fun together making wild and wacky clay models. Congratulations to everyone for achieving this award (Viggo Heder and Manuel Méndez Torres FS1, Sofia Ben Larbi Doncel-Moriano and Raphael Nijmeh FS2, Sienna Kafourous and Mina Tobal Agier Y1, Sara Alonso García and Gabriel Sanz Librelotto Y2, Aurelia Howard and Fernando Fay Pérez Y3, Lea Albaker and Nikola Iliev Y4, Carlota Hamdallah Recio and Alba Sofía Olivo Campos Y5, Kira Long Garcia and Chloe Rubio Subiris Y6).

Our Personal Goal for January is ‘Resilience’ which is also one of our 5 Aloha Values. We are focusing upon helping your child to understand that mistakes are likely to happen and there will be times of stress. What is important is to develop skills to deal with these challenges and to never give up.

Congratulations to James Robb 3EK for showing resilience in his wrestling training. His determination and hard work was rewarded with a silver medal in the National Junior Championships which were held in Madrid during the Christmas holidays. What an achievement!

INTERHOUSE
Granada celebrated their Autumn 2 victory with a Friday Fun Day! A just reward for a great team effort. Please find a video here.

PARENT PORTAL
The Parent Portal has been updated with the following:
– PSHE presentations (informative meetings 8 and 9 January 2020 – under PRIMARY/Other supporting materials)
PSHE Y1, 2, 3
PSHE Y4, 5, 6 

– Spring Term Curriculum Outlines

Aloha Value Focus this half term – Honesty –  Why are people sometimes dishonest?
Personal Goal Target for January – Resilient – How have you been resilient in your work this week?

Yours sincerely

Kathryn Salmon

Headteacher, Primary

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Dear Parents,

As I am writing university references for our Year 13, I have noticed that the word I use the most when describing our school or highlighting strengths of each of our students is international. We have many multilingual students and over 57 nationalities represented at Aloha College Marbella; are these good enough reasons to state that our students are truly international?

I have been thinking about this over the last few weeks. There are plenty of activities which promote international-mindedness in our school. However, I believe there is more we can do in this respect. 

Do you know any international events that take place in January?

The Chinese New Year starts on 25 January and this is the Year of the Rat. Did you know that in Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus? Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children. Students should not have to wait for Mr Kemp and Mr Morillas to teach them about China in Year 12. Instead, we should take advantage of these celebrations to teach our children about the country’s fascinating history, language and culture. 

How can we expect our students to be responsible citizens in a global society if we are not actively engaging or exposing them to other cultures and perspectives? Having a passport filled with stamps or speaking several languages is not being international. It is more about the opening of one’s mindset to a broader way of thinking, which enables you to question and challenge such issues in today’s society.

Technology nowadays allows us to find out what is happening around the world at the click of a button. This way of accessing information, different perspectives and sometimes knowledge is excellent. However, a meaningful engagement with different cultures is what makes a student truly international.

 There are numerous events that we can circle in our calendar this year. I will make sure your children are aware of them. There is another event on 25 January linked to a Scottish poet called Robert. I will let you do some research on it.

I hope you have a nice weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Francisco Escobar

Headteacher, Secondary

One subject is chosen from each of the following groups:

  1. Language and Literature (Language A). Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
  2. Language acquisition (Language B). A modern language course with an emphasis on understanding another culture through its language.
  3. Individuals and Societies: Provides for the development of a critical appreciation of the nature and activities of human activities in history and the physical, economic and social environment that people inhabit.
  4. Experimental Sciences: The exploration of concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these, develop their understanding of the scientific method.
  5. Mathematics: The development of mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles and the development of logical, critical and creative thinking.
  6. The Arts: Students develop their understanding of the dynamic and changing nature of the arts and explore the diversity of arts and learn to express themselves with confidence and competence. Students may opt to study an additional science, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.

The requirement that students take at least one subject from each of the first five groups listed ensures a balanced education. Thus, the scientist continues the study of languages and one of the humanities, while the arts student continues to take mathematics and science. Furthermore, students may choose their study programmes to take into account their interests, abilities and future career or education requirements by the choice of the sixth subject and by the choice of subjects offered at Higher Level.

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Darren Roth
Headteacher Secondary
Earned his BA(Hons) in English Literature from Cardiff University before completing his teaching qualification as a secondary English teacher at Swansea University. Over 17 years in South Wales, he held roles including Head of English, Head of Sixth Form, and senior management before joining Aloha College Marbella in 2012. A passionate educator, Darren finds immense satisfaction in students’ success.
His diverse interests extend beyond the classroom. Darren obtained his pilot’s licence at 17 through a Royal Air Force scholarship and continued training for years. He volunteered in the Camp America scheme, played water polo for Wales Under 18s, and taught children to swim.
Outside of his professional and athletic pursuits, Darren enjoys reading, cycling, and walking his rescue Yorkshire Terrier, Charley. A paddleboarding enthusiast, he finds joy in outdoor activities. Darren also has a flair for cooking and delights in preparing meals for friends. He holds a special affection for the Andalusian sunshine and seizes every opportunity to explore Spain and beyond.
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Louise Verinder
Designated Safeguarding Lead & Pastoral Care

Louise earned her BA Hons degree from Edge Hill University and went on to complete her PGCE. With a lifelong passion for sports, she always knew she wanted to become a PE teacher. She excelled, particularly in sports acrobatics, earning the honor of representing Great Britain. For fourteen years, she served as head of PE in Chorley, in the north-west of England, before embarking on what was supposed to be a year’s sabbatical in Spain.

Louise joined Aloha College in 2014 as a part-time teacher of PE. A couple of years later, she transitioned into the role of pastoral care, a role that she absolutely loves. Tasked with leading the secondary school’s PSHEE program and serving as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, she finds great pleasure in developing positive working relationships with teenagers, supporting their mental health and wellbeing, helping develop their self-esteem and confidence, as well as helping them navigate the challenges of life!
Louise is passionate about learning and developing her skillset. She is an accredited life coach with the ICF, specializing in working with teenagers. She has studied for a Diploma in NLP and has recently been awarded a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health-Informed Schools and Communities. 
Outside of teaching, Louise loves the simple things in life. Spending time with her family and friends, travelling, and spending time outside hiking, skiing and paddleboarding. She loves good food and she feels truly blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
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Sara Dickie
Head of Key Stage 2

Graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BEd (hons) specialising in English Literature and teaching children in the primary age range.  For the next 17 years, Sara worked in large, central and outer London schools.  As a senior leader in the UK, Sara raised attainment and supported curriculum development across groups of schools in the local area and worked with the local education authority to provide training across boroughs. She ensured the success of school improvement in roles such as leader of English, Maths and SEND provision over the years.  Sara moved to Spain in 2017 and is currently our Head of Key Stage 2.  

Sara has travelled to many fascinating destinations across the globe and still counts travel as one of her interests.  However, she now spends more time at her rural finca in the Andalucian mountains than ever before due to the increasing number of rescue animals she supports.  Outside of education, Sara loves to spend time in the countryside with her horses, dogs and many other animals under her care. 
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Liz Keys
Teaching & Learning

Liz gained a BA.Hons degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Hull.  After her PGCE  she began her teaching career at a state Primary School in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Her passion for teaching and her love of travel soon prompted her to take up her next role as a Reception class teacher at Bangkok Patana School in Thailand where she gained invaluable experience of working in an international environment. 

A desire to move closer to the UK prompted Liz to join Aloha College Marbella in 1997 where she has been a Key Stage leader in both KS1 & KS2. She is passionate about providing children with a Creative Curriculum which  provides exciting stimuli and first-hand learning experiences. Her interests are reading, travel and sampling different cuisines.
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Anna Sweeting
Head of Key Stage 3 and Enrichment

Completed her degree in Business, Accounting and Finance, then later a Certificate in Mathematics. Having worked in banking, accounting and education finance she started teaching by founding a tuition company in 2006 and lecturing part-time in a further education college. These both grew, and a decision was made to sell the business and lecture full time, while also leading GCSE Maths. Anna made the move to secondary education in 2015, then joined Aloha College in 2016.

Anna loves inspiring students to try new things and to grasp opportunities, you never know where they will lead! She enjoys performing in theatre shows and singing, but the most drama in her life comes from being an avid follower of Blackpool FC, a curse that she has passed on to her two sons.
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Jacqueline Brice
Head of Key Stage 4

Achieved a first class Honours degree in Mathematics and Physics from Kings College London before pursuing a career in broadcasting. She indulged her curiosity in the latest scientific and technological advances as a producer of scientific documentaries for BBC Radio and Television and then moved into fly-on-the-wall documentary making for Channel 4 with the police and the Royal Navy. Her broadcasting career has taken her flying through thunderstorms with lightning chasers in North Dakota, to crime scenes with the Metropolitan Police murder squad and from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious to Gibraltar by Sea King helicopter. 

As her young family took priority in her life, she turned her degree into a Post Graduate Certificate of Education and brought her family to Spain, where she has continued to share her love of mathematics, science and life-long learning with the students of Aloha College for almost two decades. Over the years, she has thoroughly enjoyed leading the Mathematics Department and Key Stage 3 and now she is working as the Head of Key Stage 4, hoping to instill a love for learning and international travel in our young adults and to encourage them to value a broad range of creative, analytical and communication skills.
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Ellen Richards
Head of EYFS

Studied at the University of Chester where she completed her BEd (Hons) in  Primary education, specialising in the Early Years. She believes there is no age range more exciting and inspiring with which to work, and feels fortunate to have truly found her vocation. 

Ellen has taught at international schools in Guangzhou, China, Bangkok, Thailand and London, UK, before joining the Aloha College Marbella team in 2018 where she is currently Head of Foundation Stage. Having attended international schools herself in Maseru, Lesotho, Yokohama, Japan and South Wales in the UK, Ellen feels a strong sense of belonging within our multicultural community.
Outside of work, Ellen is most content exploring all and any creative pursuits, be it in a rather haphazard way! What she lacks in finesse she makes up for in enthusiasm, and will happily while away the weekend with her sewing machine. 
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Elaine McGirl
Head of Key Stage 5

An experienced educator with over two decades of expertise in the field of science and education. Originally from Ireland, Elaine graduated with Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Limerick after earning a Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in Biology and Chemistry. 

Driven by a passion for understanding how students learn best, Elaine has held diverse roles in education, including lecturing and tutoring in educational psychology to undergraduate students. She has extensive experience teaching various curricula, including the International Baccalaureate, A Levels and the Irish Leaving certificate, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of various educational systems. 
In 2007, Elaine joined Aloha College Marbella, where she has served as an IB and A-Level Biology teacher, General Science teacher, and Head of the Science Department. Currently, she holds the position of Head of Sixth Form and IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to guiding students towards academic excellence and personal growth.
Outside of teaching, Elaine enjoys Irish dancing, Flamenco, and salsa. She can play several instruments from her days in a youth marching band. Elaine loves traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with animals.
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Anne Ross
Head of Key Stage 1

Began her teaching career with a Foundation Degree in Early Years from the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland. She managed and developed a Nursery School in the Highlands for several years and was very involved in raising the awareness and the importance of Early Years education throughout many schools in the Highlands and North of Scotland. Anne then furthered her studies, experience and expertise by gaining a PGCE at the University of Buckingham to further her career in Primary education.

At Aloha Anne has always been passionate about extending her knowledge and learning, she is currently studying to become a certified Well-Being coach. She is a strong advocate of student wellbeing, emotional intelligence and social development, these important life skills ensure our students emerge more resilient and ready to face future adversities. 
Even though Anne has lived in Spain for over 20 years, she loves to explore Spain’s rich culture and many hidden treasures. She is an enthusiastic traveller with a love for diverse destinations and learning from different cultures. Anne has always been passionate about sports and keeping fit and in her spare time she loves Crossfit classes, family time and reading.
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Emma Saunders
Primary Designated Safeguarding Lead & Pastoral Car

Emma has dedicated her entire teaching and professional career to ACM. A Saint Mary’s University London honour’s graduate, holding a Masters Degree in International Education from Oxford Brookes, Emma has shaped her career into a student-centric narrative. Her experience and research into “Third Culture Kids’, which recognises our students unique educational, international and Spanish experience, was used in crafting and developing the Primary PSHEE programme, facilitating essential skills appropriate to academic, psychological and emotional well-being.

Emma’s professionalism at Charity, is helping change lives for the vulnerable, in Málaga and Africa where ACM has initiated educational programmes in Kampala. Her work as a rapporteur for the COBIS ConnectED sessions is established and recognised. As a qualified Catechist, Emma’s Pastoral Care role is busy and engaging. As a safeguarding expert and officer, fluent in Spanish, Emma analyses the latest programmes, developments and policies, at national and International level.
As a former ballerina, Emma trained young dancers for school shows and Marbella events in modern/Irish dance, and regularly performed in her native West End. Emma also enjoys entertaining family and friends, however Tara the Afghan Hound as the newest member of the Saunders family, is the one who now steals the show!
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Kate Edwards
Headteacher Primary

Kate graduated from the University of Central England with a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education, specialising in the Early Years. As an experienced leader in both UK and international educational settings, Kate is committed to providing students with a learning environment that celebrates effort and achievement in both academic and personal endeavors. In July 2019, Kate, completed the Cobis Program for Aspiring Heads, before taking on her first headship with us in 2023. 

In her spare time, Kate loves spending time with her husband and three children. They often enjoy trips to the park, constructing Lego masterpieces, strolls along the beach and splashing about in the pool. When time allows, Kate also loves to bake.  At home you’ll often find her whipping up a storm in the kitchen. Rumour has it, she dreams of donning the iconic apron on the Great British Bake Off one day! 
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