Dear parents,
This is my last newsletter! Yet again, this month has been filled with news to share.
Here are just a few highlights:
Nursery Assemblies
The two Nursery classes performed their assemblies this week in front of very proud moms and dads. Their singing was amazing – it brought tears of happiness to everyone’s eyes.
Well done to all our nursery children and thank you to all our nursery staff.
Look at our champion of Taekwondo – Congratulations Alex!!
Such an artist
Daniela in Year 6 below, with a very proud Mr Smith, completed this amazing art piece (with a little help from her big sister , Milana)
RUGBY U12 Champions
Last weekend, 3 Year 6 students Artur, Oisin and James travelled to Madrid to compete with their Marbella Rugby Club U12 teammates against the highest-level clubs from all over Spain.
1,400 Under 12 Rugby players gathered to compete in the most important National Rugby Festival in Spain, bringing another Marbella Rugby Club season to a close.
Our boys and their teammates did amazingly well, playing intense matches, and were declared champions.
Well done to our boys who were congratulated for their high level of Rugby and great attitude, and are amongst some of Spain’s most promising future Rugby players.
Gymnastics
Jasmine in Year 5 competed in the Andalusian Championships of Rhythmic Gymnastics and won third place in her category.
Congratulations future Olympian!
Year 5 Greek Style Painted Pots
Year 5 have been learning about Ancient Greece and Rome in their IPC – History lessons. As part of an art project related to the theme, the children brought in flower pots and painted them in the style of the ancient Greeks.
In the secondary section, the place is buzzing with pupil examinations and PCTs.
IB students in Year 13 can now relax as their public exams have ended, whilst the A-level students have hardly begun.
Keep up your efforts, everyone, and may all your hard work reap rewards.
A group of pupils took the DELE B1 exam in Malaga.
Gala Dinner
Please remember there are still tickets available for the Gala Dinner to be held on 9 June – Tickets will be on sale every day in school and on Saturday 3 June at Family Fun Day.
Family Fun Day
This takes place on Saturday 3 June and promises to be another fantastic day for all our community to share.
The highlight of last year’s event was the “Bake a Cake” competition.
Why not start planning your cake donation, and be brave enough to enter this year’s competition.
Alongside this are many other activities. I look forward to sharing the day with you.
Gates open at 10:30 am.
Now enjoy further news from the Primary and Secondary sections.
PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS
This month has been full of excitement, energy and looking to the future as children have participated in school trips, residentials, World Bee Day, class assemblies, Yr 6 transition days to secondary and much more.
“Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.” —Kate Spade.
This was so true as the whole college came together to raise money for our Aloha Spirit fashion show. Our youngest pupils were delighted with themselves, with exclamations of, “Do you know, I’m a top model?!”. They were coached on their walking technique by Mrs Ele, Lior and Liat’s mummy and did a phenomenal job of strutting their stuff! They modelled the beautiful ‘Beads of Hope’; artisan jewellery made of recycled paper designed and created by individuals living in the Kantanga slum in Kampala, Uganda.We were also entertained by a dazzling performance of Flamenco and Hip- Hop dancing. It was truly a night to remember and one which is sure to be a fixture on the Aloha calendar.
Our youngest learners in Nursery wowed their parents with an intimate assembly in which they taught us all how to look after plants and help them to grow. The children did us all proud and truly showed us how lucky we are to have them in our school. Thank you to all of our teachers, children and, of course, all of our wonderful parents for supporting the children with their costumes and performance.
Calling all fashionistas! A group of girls from RCKHO were keen to support our Aloha Spirit charity fashion show. Amy gathered her friends, Victoria, Siena and Kenza. The girls set to work designing a range of fashion-inspired greetings cards. Amy says that she would like to open a clothes shop when she grows up and send all of the proceeds to charity.
Although the term is flying by we still have a lot of learning to do and many memorable events and celebrations planned. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at these events.
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Again, we bring to you a fantastic article written by our newly-appointed Head Student, Amani Husaini. Edited by Pedro Mees and Carlos Nobile, this month’s article features the Uganda project.
Athletics
At the end of a very busy term two for sport at ACM, it was fantastic to be able to afford our pupils the opportunity to compete in a full athletics competition at the municipal stadium in Estepona. After practising in PE lessons, all students selected their preferred three disciplines from both track and field and went all out to get as many points as possible for their respective houses.
The track events were awesome, with the relays stealing the show at the end with some very tight, hard fought races. In the field events, there were some outstanding efforts and 9 new records set along the way. Congratulations to all our athletes who ran, jumped and threw for their new houses. Many athletes managed to set new personal bests which is fantastic and the PE department are immensely proud of their commitment and effort. House winners this year were the Dolphins!
Following this, ACM competed at the International Schools Athletics tournament, where 12 schools from across the coast compete to see who will become the champion. This was the first event of its kind since 2019 due to Covid19, and we managed to defend our title. ACM were the overall champions scoring a total of 785 points with the nearest school placing with 650.
There were several records broken by our students, two of which came in the relays. It was an outstanding achievement and confirmed that all our students’ hard work throughout this and the previous years has been very worthwhile
Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions
The Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award practice and qualifying expeditions took place over 2 weekends in March and May to Jimena de la Frontera and Tarifa. They were truly unforgettable adventures, offering participants a unique blend of camping, navigation, and self-sufficiency. The breathtaking landscapes of our local areas and national parks provided the perfect backdrop for these journeys, testing the resilience and skills of each participant. Equipped with maps, compasses, and their own resourcefulness, they tackled challenging terrains including rivers, sand dunes, and beaches. Supported by a dedicated team of teachers, they overcame obstacles, reached designated checkpoints, and learned important lessons in teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability. Taking charge of their own provisions and cooking, they faced the elements with determination over the two-day / one-night trips. These expeditions were transformative experiences, fostering personal growth and resilience among our impressive year 10 students. We couldn’t be prouder of their successful completion of both adventures.
The pupils of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition embarked on an exciting journey to Grazalema National Park. With backpacks packed and maps in hand, they set off on their adventure into the beautiful Spanish wilderness, testing their endurance, navigation skills, and teamwork.
Throughout their journey, the pupils successfully tackled three of the most spectacular routes in Grazalema, whilst also completing personal projects on topics such as emotional well-being, art and even extreme chess. They ventured along the Sendero del Río Majaceite, a picturesque trail that wound its way alongside a glistening river. They also traversed the El Pinsapar Trail, surrounded by ancient Spanish fir trees, known as “pinsapos.” Finally, they pushed themselves to reach new heights by summiting Al Simancón y Reloj, two breathtaking peaks of the Sierra del Endrinal. The panoramic views from the summit left the pupils in awe of the park’s natural splendour.
Overall, the pupils’ Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition to Grazalema National Park was a fulfilling and challenging experience. They not only completed their planned activities but also forged lasting memories and gained a deep appreciation for the park’s remarkable landscapes and biodiversity.
Media Premiere
This month saw our inaugural ACM film festival, a celebration of the work of our sixth form Media students. This took the form of a Gala Screening of their work, a mixture of feature film openings and music videos, all devised and produced from scratch. The event, at the Red Dog Cinema in Puerto Banús, was well attended by students, parents and staff, and hosted by our Media teacher, Mr Fraser Sharp. It is no exaggeration to say that the general quality of the work shown was outstanding, with several pieces of a simply stunning professional standard. Huge congratulations to the students involved! We look forward to developing the event further in years to come to build on this excellent beginning.
Y7 and Y12 ESS Beach Trip to Mijas Costa
The Year 7 beach trip to the rocky shore at Mijas Costa, guided by the Year 12 ESS pupils, proved to be an invaluable experience for all involved. The transects allowed students to explore the diverse habitats along the shore, while rock pooling opened their eyes to the wonders of marine life. Additionally, students collected data on variation and size of limpets and periwinkles and abiotic factors, which they will use for further study back in the classroom. The leadership provided by the Year 12 ESS students not only facilitated the learning process but also inspired the younger students to develop a deeper connection with the natural world. This trip will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the Year 7 students, fostering a sense of environmental awareness of the natural world we are lucky to have on our doorstep here in Marbella.
Y6 transition
Year 6 Transition was once again filled with happy faces! Students seemed to love the lessons they experienced and secondary teachers kept coming to tell Mr Smith and Mrs Brice that they were so impressed with the enthusiasm and manners of this year group. We can’t wait to see them in September but don’t forget they must make a choice between French and German before Friday, June 2nd.
Wishing you lovely weeks ahead.
