summer term 2016 - infinite learning knows her subject well and made the day ... juliet...

www.infinitelearning.ae/[email protected]

Summer Term 2016 Dear Colleagues, As the summer term draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate all that we have collectively achieved over the academic year 2015-16. On 1st June 2016 Infinite Learning celebrated its 1st year anniversary. It was an emotional day for Paola and myself, as we reflected on the level of support the organisation has received and how, through our collaborative efforts, so much has been achieved in the space of just one year. Sometimes, numbers speak louder than words. Please allow me to share with you some ‘key figures’ from our 2015-16 year:

81 days of open CPD courses

47 days of in-school CPD courses

801 delegates on open CPD courses

1660 delegates on in-school CPD courses (approx.)

163 different schools from across the region booking on courses

40 Partner Schools http://www.infinitelearning.ae/partner-schools/

We are delighted that we have been able to support schools in such a big way as they invest in their staff to the benefit of their student learning outcomes. However, Infinite Learning is not an organisation that is simply interested in quantity. We have a saying: “We are only as good as our last course”. To consistently offer high-calibre Professional Learning opportunities to all stakeholders (Schools, Leaders, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Nurses, Administrative Staff, Parents, Students), across the region, is our goal. The quality of the professional learning received is of paramount importance. I am therefore delighted to share with you some examples of the feedback we have received from delegates who attended courses that have run this term. This feedback is fantastic and serves to substantiate the consistently high-quality training our highly experienced and knowledgeable providers offer. We are particularly proud of the tremendous feedback from our NPQSL and NPQML courses and credit here must go to our fantastic facilitators! NPQSL Qatar: Andrew Finn, Katrina Reece NPQSL UAE: Darren Gale, Farah Saraj, Mark Hunter, Shane O’Brien NPQML UAE: Andrew Jones, Heather Mann, Ian Ward, Richard Drew

http://www.infinitelearning.ae/partner-schools/


Delegate Feedback

LIBRARIANS – PRIMARY – DUBAI – APRIL – SARAH PAVEY

Strengths: Useful Practical Ideas. I have rated this course as Very

Good. Kathryne Pendry, Primary Teacher/Librarian, Latifa

Primary School for Girls, Dubai

Strengths: The information of different apps and links as well as

different resources that can be used during library sessions. I have

rated this course as Very Good. Mona Menon, Primary librarian,

Gems Modern Academy, Dubai

Strengths: I enjoyed learning from Sarah, she was able to get me excited about using technology in the library.

She was able to inform me about new apps that are being used without overwhelming me. I have rated this

course as Very Good. Great course! Very useful information to apply to the library program. Amanda Gintaut,

Primary School Teacher Librarian, Dubai American Academy, Dubai

Strengths: This is the first time Librarian training course happening in Dubai and I should say that it was overall

great experience for me to attend this program and to meet the other librarians and Ms. Sarah Pavey, was

wonderful to attend her session. I have rated this course as Excellent. Safeera Aslam, Librarian, Emirates

International School- Jumeirah, Dubai

LIBRARIANS - SECONDARY – DUBAI – APRIL – SARAH PAVEY

Strengths: Resource list, Search engines, excellent examples for evaluating,

information and Games. I have rated this course as Excellent. Aboli Karnik,

Librarian -IBDP/IBCP, Emirates International School –Jumeriah, Dubai

Strengths: Exchanging experiences between the provider and the librarians. I

have rated this course as Very Good. Maissa Kholoki, Librarian, American

School of Creative Science, Dubai

Strengths: The most useful part was introducing games and activities. I have rated this course as Excellent. This

program makes you feel that everything is possible. You can invent games, strategies, that it is easy for your

students to understand how to make a perfect essay. Everything was covered and informed. Nour Ziyad Al

Hadidi, Library Assistant, Latifa School for Girls, Dubai

Strengths: The activities and the knowledge and style of the trainer. I have rated this course as Excellent. Sarah

was a great trainer. She knows her subject well and made the day interesting and interactive. She is very

knowledgeable about librarianship generally. Victoria Gilzean, Learning Resource Centre Co-ordinator,

Rashid School for Boys – Secondary, Dubai


AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP – DUBAI – APRIL - DR LESLEY HUNTER Strengths: Practical tips and techniques to develop authentic leadership.

Time to undertake self-reflection and to become familiar with the 3 stage

Challenge, Choice, Change model. To develop myself as an authentic

leader. I have rated this course as Excellent. Natasha Higman, Phase

Leader (Upper Key Stage 2), Deira International School, Dubai

Strengths: I don't know where to start. I went in to the course very

apprehensive about my new role as Assistant Headteacher, but now feel motivated and equipped to develop my

leadership skills over the next 2 years. I have rated this course as Excellent. Lesley is knowledgeable, considerate

and enthusiastic. She made us all feel at ease with very difficult topics and a great deal of self-reflection.

Catherine Yates, Head of Year 8, The English College, Dubai

PE CONFERENCE 2016 – DUBAI – APRIL – VARIOUS TRAINERS

Strengths: The providers’ extensive knowledge and

ability to engage with all the delegates. Course

content was extremely good and the quality of

supplemental handouts and work schemes etc., was

very high. I have rated this course as Excellent. This

was the best CPD I have done in years. The content

was excellent, delivered by clearly people at the top of

their profession. Each session was fully engaging with

ample opportunity to practice and develop the new skills learned. Just a big thank you to Paola, Steve and Kate

for the fantastic weekend. I have not stopped talking about the quality of the PE Conference and how it has had a

positive impact on my teaching and will positively affect my school. Thank you. Richard Hall, 2nd i/c PE (Head

of Junior PE), Kuwait English School, Kuwait

Strengths: The information given about the different topics and how you would use them in your setting.

Discussions with both the other PE teachers and coaches to get their opinions and ideas. I have rated this course

as Excellent. Great CPD that I will go away and implement into my school and department. Charlotte Latham,

Head of PE, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi

Strengths: Being able to practically complete each skill whilst being observed by the trainer was great. It allowed

me to gain instant feedback and then a sense of confidence. I feel more prepared to be in front of my class. The

venue allowed enough equipment to work through each skill and helped me form ideas about my own class

setup. I have rated this course as Excellent. Thanks for a fantastic weekend! Will definitely recommend to others

as a high level CPD course! Elise Norman-Hunkin, Teacher of PE, GEMS Metropole School


Strengths: How the coach break down the skills in gymnastics and make very easy to teach for the teacher and

easy to do it for the students. I have rated this course as Excellent. Tariq Subhi Alkaraki, PE Teacher, The

School of Research Science, Dubai

Strengths: Hands on working knowledge to take back and put into practice. Developed thought processes to

show how a PE programme should be set up and the reasoning behind what we do and how we do it. I have

rated this course as Excellent. Robert Brown, Deputy Head of PE, Al Yasmina School, Abu Dhabi

Strengths: Insightful instruction and delivery by very experienced leaders, full of enthusiasm and reinforcement of

core skills relating back to the fundamentals. I have rated this course as Excellent. Scott Demellweek, Head of

Primary P.E, The Sultan's School, Oman

Strengths: The presenter knew her subject matter very well. The topic was extremely relevant and the information

was up to date. I have rated this course as Excellent. Sonia Aiyengar, Assistant Senior School Librarian,

Repton School, Dubai

SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASS – DUBAI –APRIL - SIMON NOAKES

Strengths: Parent communications. I have rated this course as Very Good.

Sarah Munday, Admissions Officer/Parent Relations, Jebel Ali School, Dubai

Strengths: Understanding exactly how proper use of social media can hugely benefit the school. I have rated this

course as Excellent. Sile Kennedy, Parent Relations/website, Jebel Ali Primary School, Dubai

Strengths: Learning how to connect all of the different social media content. I have rated this course as Excellent.

Carole Ansell, Assistant Headteacher, Safa British School, Dubai

Strengths: Strategic overview as to how to potentially link all channels. I have rated this course as Very Good.

Alex Harrison, Head of Foundation, Royal Dubai School, Dubai


LEADING AND MANAGING A SEN DEPARTMENT IN THE UAE –

DUBAI – MAY - GRAINNE BOYLE AND LOUISE DAWSON

Strengths: The two administrators of the programme were highly

skilled and knowledgeable, and they gave practical information

and ideas to use every day in the classroom. I have rated this

course as Excellent. An excellent course that I would highly

recommend to anyone working in the SEN field. Really enjoyed

the course. Thanks! Aisling Mannion, Learning Support

Teacher (Secondary), Rashid School for Boys, Dubai

Strengths: The open dialogue between the delegates plus the readiness of the presenters to guide them. Also the

resources prepared and given out to us via Dropbox which was a good idea. I have rated this course as Very

Good. Najia Ghani, Specialist Teacher and Assessor, British International School, Jeddah. Saudi Arabia

Strengths: That the course was run by a working SENCo who was experienced in the UAE. Weaknesses: I have

rated this course as Excellent. Katie Saunders, SENCo, Safa British School, Dubai

Strengths: Span of information. I have rated this course as Excellent. Erin Letourneau, SST-Coordinator/SEN-

CO, Collegiate American School, Dubai

Strengths: The experience shared from both presenters. Resources explained and shared - use/ease of Dropbox

Opportunities to network, ask questions and liaise. Time - three days was perfect for us to digest what had been

learnt and then ask further questions the following day. I have rated this course as Excellent. Thank you so

much for providing this course. Grainne and Louise were fantastic and I look forward to future courses with them

and Infinite Learning. Thank you for a wonderful course. I look forward to the next one. Shanna Curtis,

SENCO, Nord Anglia School, Dubai

Strengths: It was very interesting to hear about other SEN departments and how they were run as well as what

should and shouldn't be done in an SEN department. I have rated this course as Excellent. Grace Hardie, EYFS

Teacher, Brighton College, Abu Dhabi

It was mega! I have rated this course as Excellent. I do want to really stress that it was excellent and I got far

more out of it than I expected. It was ace...I'm grateful! Philip Larkin, Head of Enhanced Studies, English

College, Dubai

Strengths: Resources shared. I have rated this course as Excellent. Terrific! Jennifer Lyster, Learning Support

Teacher, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, Dubai


SCHOOL NURSING - DUBAI – MAY – DR AMBER & DR DAVID

Strengths: The programmed went very well. Most all the topics were

covered. I have rated this course as Excellent. Juliet D'souza, College

Nurse, Jumeirah College, Dubai

Strengths: The whole programme was full of useful information. I have

rated this course as Excellent. Sheila Alban, School Nurse, Latifa School

for Girls, Dubai

Strengths: Dr Amber's subjects, as these have never been covered in such detail in a CME training day before. I

have rated this course as Excellent. Anne Marpole, School Nurse, The English College, Dubai

Strengths: Group discussions. Clear explanations and visual aids. I have rated this course as Very Good. Dr

Amber was excellent. She kept the day interesting and informative. The discussions we had as a group will help

me to understand and cope better with our students when they come in to the clinic. Marie Smith, School

Nurse, Safa Community School, Dubai

Strengths: For me each section of the day was relevant. I have rated this course as Excellent. Julie Oakeley,

Learning support/Student support, Sharjah English School, Sharjah

Strengths: The course content on both days was very relevant for the area that most of the Nurses work in.

Contained a lot of useful information. I have rated this course as Excellent. The course was excellent, it was

delivered in a very professional manner by both speakers. The content was relevant and very informative.

Excellent content delivered in a very professional manner. Brid Hickey, School Nurse, Dubai College, Dubai

NPQSL – F2F MODULE 2 – DUBAI – MAY

I have rated this session as Excellent. Jayne Lucas, The British School Alexandria, Head of Prep

I have rated this session as Good. The facilitators have been fantastic. The theory side has been good to know.

It's great to speak to other SL in similar positions to myself. It's great to have such a course in the UAE as there

are a number of excellent schools and practitioners here. Thank you :) Philip Yates, Al Rabeeh School, Head

of Middle School

I have rated this session as Good. Relates to practical elements. Leaders have a wealth of experience and

knowledge and more than willing to share and support trainees. Excellent course. LIANNE Knibb, Emirates

International School, Head of Year 12 and 13

I have rated this session as Excellent. I have particularly enjoyed networking with people from other schools and

talking about schools within Dubai. I have also enjoyed gaining advice from the facilitators on the course who

through sharing of their own experiences has given clarification to the theories studied in personal studied but


also helped to understand the different models of leadership and also to help me understand the type of senior

leader I want to become. James Gore, Repton School Dubai, Curriculum Coordinator Prep Department

I have rated this session as Excellent. It’s an outstanding programme. I have learnt so much already and am to

beginning to see the benefits in school already. Would highly recommend it. Emma Dawson, Uptown School,

Deputy Head of Secondary

I have rated this session as Good. Great facilitators; they've all tried really hard to ensure the face sessions are

driven by the needs of the group. Hannah French, Kings' School Nad Al Sheba, Assistant Headteacher

I have rated this session as Excellent. I have really enjoyed face to face discussion between facilitators and peers.

Overall it was well developed and organised face to face session. Adnan Jabbar, ADVETI, Maths

Coordinator/Senior Grade Level Leader

I have rated this session as Good. Having four facilitators is very helpful - offering different perspectives and

available to give very relevant, interesting advice. Impressed so far. Richard Dennis, Dubai College, Activities

Leader

I have rated this session as Good. It has been great working with the facilitators and other delegates to discuss

and share experiences of different leadership models. The 360 has been particularly useful and the facilitators

have given opportunity for everyone to contribute - encompassing varied contexts and ideas from the Middle East

setting. Many thanks. Andy Du Lieu, Al Rabeeh Schoo, Abu Dhabi, Acting Vice Principal


NPQSL – F2F MODULE 2 – QATAR – MAY

I have rated this session as Excellent. Fiona O'Sullivan, Al Khor International School, Head of Department

I have rated this session as Excellent. Time to reflect and share with contemporaries. Samples for projects should

be introduced gradually so supportive build-up of expectations. I am very impressed so far. Ayisat Fashola, Al

Khor International School - British Curriculum, Deputy Head Designate

I have rated this session as Excellent. Susana Wickham, Al Khor International School, Year 2 Leader

I have rated this session as Excellent. How much the course is relevant to my role as a House Master in the next

academic year? High satisfaction rate. Rima Farah, Al Khor International School, House Tutor

FIRE IT UP – DUBAI – MAY – PAM MUNDY

Strengths: I particularly like the fact that Pam will adapt the programme according to what we asked rather than

sticking rigidly to her plan. I have rated this course as Excellent. I would like to thank Pam for another excellent

course - the days flew by and I feel I have a lot to share with my team. Jennifer Gilchrist, Pearl Primary

School, FS 1 Year Leader

Strengths: Pam was very approachable which made the sessions much more

interactive. Despite her vast knowledge she made sure that everyone's

contributions were valued. She adapted the programme to suit the needs of

the participants. The course provided a good mix of theory and practical

ideas. The group size was also perfect, small enough to maintain an informal

atmosphere. Last but not least, Pam brought UK chocolate - always a winner!

I have rated this course as Excellent. Sharon Storrie, DBS, FS teacher /

English coordinator in primary

Strengths: Having the opportunity to reflect on our own practice and others views on what we discussed. I have

rated this course as Excellent. This course was interesting and I am now more aware of the communication that


takes place that is always verbal. It has helped me to be more observant of other types of communication

between the students. Cara Shore, British International School Abu Dhabi, Head of FS1

Strengths: The sharing of ideas from everyone. I have rated this course as Excellent. Thank you for inspiring me

to be the best teacher I can be for all the children in my class. Thank you for opening my eyes to the areas I need

to improve and for making me ask myself the difficult questions. I will be a better leader and teacher because of

what I learnt over the past 2 days. Laura Yates, Al Ain English Speaking School, FS1 Teacher

Strengths: Pam has a way about her that just inspires me to a better teacher. I love the humour she brings into

her talks and I felt extremely comfortable to share my views. She is the strength of the programme, as it is her

knowledge and passion for Early Years that made the course so good. I found Day 2 much more helpful. I have

rated this course as Very Good. Simone Welgemoed, Brighton College Abu Dhabi, Head of FS1

I have rated this course as Excellent. Pam was an absolutely brilliant CPD leader and I am already

recommending her leadership course to colleagues. She had a harder time due to current personal illness and

never let it stop her from delivering a high quality, inspirational training session. My team now hate me as I have

come back to school, 5 weeks before the end of school inspired and having a shake up! I just want to say thank

you for planning the course and bringing it to the UAE. I really enjoyed it and have come back to school buzzing

with ideas and keen to make some key changes. Thank you Pam! Rhian Neville, Al Yasmina School Abu

Dhabi, Head of FS1

SAFEGUARDING LEVEL 3 – DUBAI – MAY – LIZ GAILER AND PAUL

REED

Strengths: All content was useful. I have rated this course as Excellent. Wendy Harris, GEMs Wellington

International School, Senior Leader

Strengths: Good up to date information coupled with relevant recent experience. I have rated this course as Very

Good. Mark Hunter, Dubai College, Deputy Headteacher


NPQML – F2F MODULE 2 – DUBAI – JUNE 2016

I have rated this session as Good. Excellent Learning...real - experiences shared and discussed are always a great

asset to all. Geeta Laijawala, Crescent English High School, KG Supervisor

I have rated this session as Excellent. I think all four of the facilitators have been absolutely superb. Each time I

leave, I have the feeling that I want more of the same. Thank you to all of you... Ian, Andrew, Richard and

Heather. Also, to UCL/Leadership Colab, Infinite Learner and all the schools that have held the sessions. It's been

'fan-dabi-dosi'! John Peter McCance, British International School of Riyadh, Head of Year Three

Partner Schools

Thank you to our PARTNER SCHOOLS that have hosted these events for us this term:

Al Khor International School, Qatar

Crescent English High School, Dubai, UAE

Deira International School, Dubai, UAE

Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, Dubai, UAE

Dubai College, Dubai, UAE

JESS Arabian Ranches Secondary, Dubai, UAE

Repton, Dubai, UAE

Springdales School, UAE

Taaleem Group of Schools

The English College, Dubai, UAE


2016 – 2017 So what’s on the horizon next for Infinite Learning, our partner schools and colleagues across the region? There are a number exciting opportunities coming up next year, some of which are highlighted are below

New Calendar of Professional Learning Events with over 130 courses on offer, as well

as numerous in school training day opportunities: http://www.infinitelearning.ae/calendar-of-events/

Bespoke Qatar Calendar of Professional Learning Events 2016-17 http://www.infinitelearning.ae/npqhnpqslnpqml/

NPQH - Cohort 2016 confirmed http://www.infinitelearning.ae/npqhnpqslnpqml/

NPQML NPQSL running again in the UAE and Qatar http://www.infinitelearning.ae/npqhnpqslnpqml/

Bespoke-designed International EYFS Leadership Programme (Accredited).

Educational Master Programmes to be offered in partnership with one of the leading

Universities in the UK (The School of Teacher Education rated 5th in the whole of the

UK for the overall quality of its teaching). More information to follow in September.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your continued support of Infinite Learning and the professional learning opportunities we offer. We see ‘the figures’ and the feedback in this newsletter as a celebration of what can be achieved through effective collaboration. Leaders and teachers benefitting from some excellent professional development which in turn will have a positive impact on student learning outcomes. Paola and I wish you a wonderful summer break. We very much look forward to working with you again in 2016-17. Kind regards Rebecca and Paola

http://www.infinitelearning.ae/calendar-of-events/

http://www.infinitelearning.ae/npqhnpqslnpqml/



summer term 2016 - infinite learning knows her subject well and made the day ... juliet...

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