NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS             We all very much enjoyed our special Assembly for National Day. Congratulations to all the students who participated so enthusiastically, and thanks to parents for attending this special occasion. Culo am wa antum bikhair.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES           It was very reassuring to see so many parents in attendance at the Parents’ Evenings in early November. The number of parents who turned up for the event far exceeded the number for the corresponding event last year. Particular thanks to you all for the productive and helpful words of support and suggestions for the future planning of this event.

OTHER RECENT EVENTS/VISITORS

Our Higher Education Evening, held on 14^th November, although a very successful evening, could have been better attended, we feel. It is never too early to be thinking about university careers, but clearly many parents missed the opportunity to hear our presentations from the Omani, British, American and Australian representatives present. Remember, please, to contact school if you have any questions related to universities counseling or careers advice. We will be happy to help.

M.I.S. enjoyed a visit from H.E. the British Ambassador, Dr Noel Guckian, on 14^th November. Having been greeted by Claudia Farhat and The-Yazin Al-Said, our two senior prefects, the Ambassador went on to tour the school. His visit coincided with the Primary Section Science Fair, and Dr Guckian was particularly impressed with the quality and range of experiments on display.

Indeed, the Science Fair was a great success. We thank Ms Kim Percy and the Primary students for their enormous, very high quality output. Parents who visited were most favourably impressed by the high profile we place on experimental Science here at M.I.S. Many of the students’ items that were displayed in the classrooms on Science Fair day have now been placed in our Primary School Science Laboratory, so it is not too late for parents to see a selection of the work if they originally missed the opportunity to do so.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES       The first eight-week block of activities is now under way, but student participation could be much better in terms of numbers enrolling. We have decided to look critically at the way in which Activities are operating. One observation might be next year to include Activities as a compulsory part of the regular school day, rather than have them tacked on to the end of Sundays and Tuesdays. Your comments and observations would be very welcome, especially if you can take the time to put them in writing.

READING MONTH       Our annual Reading Month event takes place from 2^nd December through to 27 December. The theme this year is going to be "Reading Around The World In Thirty Days". There will an opportunity for parents to share the experience and participate in the activity with us, so please keep an eye open for further details.

LIBRARY DAY       Muscat International School Library Day is going to be held on Monday, 4^th December. Students from all sections of the school will be involved in the event.

BOOK FAIR      Our annual Book Fair will take place during the week Saturday, 9^th to Wednesday, 13^th December. We would encourage all parents and students to buy at least one book each from the Fair since this will help swell the amount that we will be able to put aside for future library book spending. All profits made will be ploughed back into library resources so please do spend generously.

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM        The next phase of our development in the process of phasing in this programme into the Primary School is for our teachers to spend some time with Cambridge University specialists in in-service training. There is a very noticeable feeling of optimism in the air for the new initiative. Be reassured that we will keep parents informed about all newest developments in C.I.P.P.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS [EDEXCEL]     In January, certain Grade 12/Grade 13 students will be required to attend school to sit for their modular external exams for the University of London. Since these exams will begin during the mid-year holidays, parents should note in advance, please, that this commitment will have to be up-held. The Secondary Department will issue all students involved in these exams with specific timetables.

SCHOOL CHOIR     Our School Choir will be singing at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel on Monday, 18^th December from 4.30 p.m.. Please do support them if you can by gathering in the hotel lobby and enjoying their performance.

PREFECTS    Congratulations to our team of prefects on being elected to their positions for the current academic year. We are very pleased to post their names here for your information.

Claudia Farhat and The-Yazin Al-Said.  Prefect Team : Haya Al-Amad Atika Al-Barwani, Lara Jabbour,  Sima Qafiti, Santi Hidayat, Sara Al-Balushi, Sally El-Shafie, Buthainah Al-Balushi, Summayah Abdul-Jabbar, Amer Al-Assi Ahmed Al-Busaidi, Faisal Sulayman Fouad Al-Jaouni, Elias Khattar Ahmad Al-Zadjali, Badar Al-Balushi Yousef Al-Rashdy. Naveed-ur-Rehman Ali

MID-YEAR HOLIDAY     Remember to note the mid-year holiday dates for your diary. School will close on 27^th December, 2006 and re-open on Monday, 22^nd January, 2007.