Dear Parents,
Another busy week has passed with lots of action and more successes.
As I said in last week’s newsletter the Year 13 pupils are receiving some excellent offers from the best universities. In the past not many of our 
students have gone on to study medicine. We have waited on tenterhooks to hear if our Head Girl, Rosie Rainer, would be offered a place to study medicine. Yesterday we received the great news that she has been offered a place at Brighton and Sussex Medical School if she achieves 36 points at IB.
I’m so proud of all our pupils!
WELCOME BACK
We welcome back Miss Bronagh (Primary PE teacher) after an absence from school.
OLD NEWS BUT NICE
Before the holidays, the managers and I enjoyed a Christmas lunch with the winners of the student’s Prize Draw. It was an exceedingly noisy event.
CHARITY DAY
On Friday 25 January we hold our next charity day which has been proposed by many pupils and staff, this is for someone very close to home!! Our Y12 pupil Miriam Martín Méndez explains below:
Recently in Marbella there was a serious case of Meningococco, a very dangerous disease. On 23 July, Sarah Almagro Villarejo picked up a meningococco, which caused her a sepsis (blood poisoning) and multi-organic collapse. She was on a vital critical list for 5 days and in coma for 10 days. During the first 72 hours, she was given some medications which saved her life, but in the process caused serious damage to her vascular system. This resulted in her having to have her lower arms and legs amputated. She also has serious damage to her kidneys, but they hope that in time they will recuperate their functions. She is currently going to dialysis.
She now needs to buy expensive prostheses to be able to get her life back on track, these prostheses are intelligent prostheses which will be connected directly to her brain so that she can get full mobility of the missing limbs. Her mum got in contact with a foundation called “Somos tu ola” that now follows the motto #PALANTECONSARAH.
Carrying out this event would help raise awareness against issues like this, which is so important.
Thank you, Miriam. We invite all pupils and staff to pay a minimum of 3 euros for the privilege of wearing non-uniform. This amount will include a bracelet to support the campaign.
We thank you in advance for your support on this very important matter.
3 TEACHING STUDENTS
We welcome 3 qualified teachers from the University of South Wales. They will spend a month in the Primary School completing research and teaching – please give them the Aloha welcome.
On my journey to school in the mornings I listen to a daily reflection on the local radio. Yesterday’s message reminded everyone about the importance of recognising good in people and of surrounding yourself with positive people. As Mr Escobar says in his section below, in a school like ours where we have such a multitude of nationalities and diversity, it is important we live up to the Aloha values of respect for others. We also need to ensure our children are positive and kind.
I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful children, parents, and positive staff, thank you.
Have a lovely weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Batchelor
Principal
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
Thank you for the high levels of attendance at our recent parents’ meetings. The feedback once again has been very positive but if you still have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the Head of Key Stage.
Mrs Kathryn Salmon – kathryn.salmon@aloha-college.com KS1 (Y2-3): Miss Liz Keys – elizabeth.keys@aloha-college.com
KS2 (Y4-5-6): Mr Peter Smith – peter.smith@aloha-college.com FS (NS-RC) & Y1: Miss Kate Edwards – kathryn.edwards@aloha-college.com
Our “Stay & Play” session for Foundation Stage parents on Thursday once again reminded all of us the importance of instilling a care of learning in our children from a very young age. The children proudly showed their parents how to work in a team, choose the right resources and make independent decisions. An excellent life skills to build on for the future. As a recent prospective parent commented when they finished their tour of the Primary School: “This is perfect, we see happy children challenged in their learning and motivated. We see children being children”.
Finally, I am so pleased to welcome back Miss Bronagh following her absence last term.
Next week’s target: RESILIENCE
Talk Homework: What is it like being a child in 2019? What was it like for your parents?
Your sincerely
Kathryn Salmon
Headteacher, Primary
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
“America’s government remains shut down, as Democrats refused to fund Donald Trump’s wall on the Mexican border” and “Theresa May was defeated over her Brexit deal last Tuesday”
Not a day passes without headlines such as those above in newspapers, online, radio or television on issues that encourage separation. It is evident that some governments firmly believe that without multicultural diversity and unity things can work. I, however, could not disagree more- it looks like we have gone backwards, from inclusion to division.
Fortunately, you only need a couple of minutes’ wander around the corridors in the College to realise how much can be achieved as a result of working together. I can give you plenty of examples which demonstrate this.
Mrs Palmer’s push on the Eco project has been a great success. As you read this newsletter, many pupils and staff are taking part in the beach clean around the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella today. In the same way, Ms Turner and all staff in the Mathematics department are planning an International Competition on 5th, 6th and 7th April 2019, which will bring hundreds of students from all around the world to Aloha College. The Pupil Voice committee, led by our Head Students, meets regularly to discuss school issues and come up with new ideas to move our College forward. The list of activities in which students work as a team is endless.
Diversity and working collaboratively are essential tools to grow. Over 55 nationalities from different backgrounds study together in our school from 9am to 4pm every day. Although there are plenty of disagreements and differences, I can say with the utmost pride that, together, we have created an environment of trust, respect and tolerance in our community.
It makes me sad when I see that, in the 21st century, the world still boasts about building walls and separating people. Perhaps Aloha College can give some advice to those who are unclear about the advantages of a close and diverse community.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Francisco Escobar
Headteacher, Secondary
