Parent Newsletter March 2023

Dear parents,

Easter has finally arrived after another successful Spring term.

Your children appear to be happy, but “pleasantly tired”.

Enjoy reading about some of our events from the last month.

On Tuesday and Thursday, some of the parents from Nursery joined their children in an official “Stay and Play”. It was wonderful watching them show off to their moms and dads some of their newly acquired skills.

Our oldest students, Year 13 the school celebrated an outstanding evening of Art, where there was an opportunity for their parents and the Aloha College Marbella community to enjoy an array of works that could match anything displayed in the Louvre in Paris or The Tate Modern in London.

Congratulations to all our students involved – your talents are exceptional.

Thank you to Mrs Wain and her department for their efforts and Rebecca Octave (Secondary music teacher) for accompanying the evening playing the flute and piano.

It was so nice yesterday to wear my Spring Bonnet and share the celebration with the Primary school, just like old times!!!

Ms Julia from Nursery also invited the Easter Bunny to visit our beautiful school and participate in organising the egg hunt -enjoy the video.

Crazy Hair Day also saw some very interesting sights and raised some money for our school Charity – thank you for your generosity.

We were very proud of Mrs Saunders this week as she was asked by Cobis (Council of British International Schools) to chair a seminar with two other Heads of school, addressing 70 participants from schools worldwide  – Well done Miss Emma.

Please remember that all students need to be in their summer uniform, which if you have not purchased can be ordered online and can be collected the second week during the Easter holidays from 9:30 to 13:00 h.

Finally, I had my annual medical check from Jose in Reception class, who gave me the thumbs up for another year. Thank you, Jose!

Now, continue to enjoy more primary and secondary news.

PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

Spring has finally sprung and with it we have seen learning opportunities across the primary school venture outside to utilise all of our wonderful outdoor spaces. We watched children participate in, and enjoy, our Spring Bonnet Parade. This was closely followed by enormous excitement as children in our Foundation Stage and KS1 took part in an Easter Egg hunt in the gardens. We would like to thank our Aloha Parents Society for their excellent contributions towards the organisation of the Easter Egg hunt, it was loved by all. 

On Monday 13 March, Year 3 treated us to an excellent showcase of their IPC learning as we watched their assembly about Ancient Egypt. We thank the children and teachers for their hard work in preparing the show and also thank all of the Year 3 parents for supporting the children to learn their lines and provide them with outstanding costumes. 

‘Aloha has talent’! Could be heard echoing around the corridors last week as selected children in the primary school participated in our long awaited Talent Show. The audience was left speechless as they admired performances such as magicians, dancers, pianists, gymnasts to name but a few. 

In Year 2 we have been busy learning about mass, capacity and temperature in maths. We have had lots of fun, practical lessons having a go at measuring all of these ourselves. In English we have loved writing fantasy dragon stories, letting our imaginations run wild! As scientists in IPC, we have been carrying out various experiments learning all about push and pull forces and how they affect motion.

As part of our International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Year 5 took on quite a complex but effective art challenge – Foam Block printing. Using our What A Wonderful World theme, the process started with planning and sketching a design which we then etched onto a foam tile. We decided to print a pattern using two colours. Rolling the lighter colour ink onto the tile first, we printed 3 tiles by placing it face down onto the paper and rolling over it carefully with a clean roller before lifting it very carefully off the paper.  After that we used the same tile but this time printing the darker colour in exactly the same way as before. As you can see from the results, we are very proud of the beautiful patterns we made.

SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS

Maths Competitions 2022-23

At the beginning of March Yassamin Ghassemi from year 13, William Flores Qu and Danil Gulyaev from year 12 travelled to Warsaw with Ms Turner to represent Aloha at the ISMTF Senior Maths competition. The standard of the questions was incredibly high, with Ms Turner reporting that even a room full of maths teachers with the help of technology struggled with some problems! Our team worked with energy and enthusiasm throughout the weekend, with William’s fast feet helping him to a gold medal in the Sunday Chase! After the competition the team enjoyed a stroll around the old town in the snow, sampling local delights such as pierogi dumplings, an excellent science museum and a cosy evening in the IMAX.

It was a wonderful experience for our KS4 team at the Maths competition. When we arrived at the university there was a mix of excitement and nerves from the students. Thomas, Ella and Sebastian worked really well as a team. They wanted to finish in a good position and they did Aloha proud. They were all incredibly well behaved and respectful towards the other students and teachers. There was fierce competition between the international schools and everyone was trying to get into the podium. The Sunday chase brought us around the city solving problems while visiting the beautiful monuments and cathedrals of Vienna. It was a wonderful opportunity and the students enjoyed every minute of it.

We are exceedingly proud of our young mathematicians who spent a weekend in Munich competing against some of the best international schools in the world. As well as seeing some success in the competition, they also had a workshop from record-holding speedcuber and Youtuber Tanish Dhiman and a session on thinking strategically to win games by renowned mathematician James Grime. Students also enjoyed the cultural aspect of the trip, practising their German language skills, tasting the local cuisine and navigating the Underground Deutsche Bahn.

Our Maths Learning Leader William has started a competition training club on a Wednesday lunchtime, open to any student who is interested in being considered for a competition team next year.

Sports Round-Up

Aloha College Marbella were once again the International Schools Cross Country champions for the 3rd year in a row! All pupils who made the final selection had been training intensely over the previous two and a half months, pushed all the way by a very competitive extensive squad.

All pupils gave 100% to the cause and were individually brilliant and collectively amazing. However some standout performances were:

Y10 Kayla Griffiths GOLD

Y9 Kiril Lytovchenko SILVER

Y7 Danila Belekov BRONZE

Y12Michelle Lundteppen BRONZE

March saw ACM host the very first international schools’ volleyball tournament for U19. There were 8 visiting schools from all across the Costa del Sol which made it a superb experience. The focus was on play and participation and the result was an outstanding tournament enjoyed by all. ACM boys finished first and the girls finished second in their respective groups. Behaviour was amazing and great sportsmanship was shown throughout the day. We are already looking forward to hosting again next year!

The U13 football teams travelled to Sotogrande to compete in their international schools’ tournament in early March and played superbly well. Girls’ football is really taking off in the school and this team played their hearts out all day. The boys team also represented our school really well and all teams had a fabulous day.

Theatre trips

Year 9 French students enjoyed a day out to the French theatre in Malaga where they saw a theatrical version of ‘Le Chef’ 

So that the German students did not feel left out they had their very own German cinema event, complete with popcorn, in our school hall!

All students enjoyed learning the target language in this way and their teachers appreciated that their behaviour was exemplary during both events.

Mrs Batchelor, Miss Kate, Mr Smith and Mr Escobar wish you a wonderful Easter break and look forward to seeing you all on 17 April.

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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