SEK-Qatar’s Exciting Hour of Code Journey!

Our school has once again joined the global coding celebration – the Hour of Code! Just like the good times from previous years, our school is buzzing with coding brilliance from December 4th to December 10th, 2023.

What’s the Hour of Code?

For those who might be wondering, the Hour of Code is a worldwide movement that introduces students to the fun and fascinating world of coding. It’s like a global playdate for computers, encouraging learners of all ages to spend at least an hour exploring coding activities.

Our students were on fire with awesome coding activities! Our preschoolers having a blast playing and coding with robots, primary students grooving to the beats in the Classic Dance Party game from Code.org, and our Grade 4 to MYP students diving into challenges from Minecraft Education with this year’s theme – Generation AI.

This year, our older students got hands-on with Generation AI challenges, diving into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence. It wasn’t just about solving coding puzzles; it was a journey into understanding AI.

SEK-Qatar’s Hour of Code was more than just a week of activities; it was a celebration of our students’ creativity, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for learning. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them for embracing the coding adventure with such energy and learning how to be responsible users. A huge shoutout to our students and staff for their awesome participation!

Enriching Arabic Workshop

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent Arabic workshop held on November 25th at SEK-Qatar! The collaborative event brought together the passionate minds of our Arabic Team alongside esteemed colleagues from SEK International School Riyadh and Beacon Private School, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.

During the workshop, our dedicated educators delved into various types of assessment, exploring effective strategies to enhance the evaluation process. A key focus of the day was aligning the curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education with the International Baccalaureate framework, ensuring a seamless integration that optimally benefits our students.

The engaging discussions and shared insights showcased the commitment of our Arabic Team and the invaluable contributions from our fellow educators. This collaborative effort reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a rich, well-rounded education that prepares our students for success in a globalized world. Stay tuned for more exciting developments on the horizon!

Special thanks to Dr. Ibtihaje El Senne, Ph.D., for leading our workshop with expertise and inspiration. Your guidance made a significant impact on our learning journey.

Grade 7 Visual Arts – Microworlds: Bacteria & Neurons

Our talented Grade 7 Visual Arts students ventured into the digital world of stylus drawings on their laptops. As a Microsoft Showcase school we aim to integrate various digital experiences into our curriculum. In this interdisciplinary unit the Science and Visual Arts department fused their interest in microbes and showed how visual imagery enhance learning in science. Students selected their bacteria of choice and created remarkable drawings in OneNote. Students were taught how to use the grid method and explored the basic tools such as pencils, highlighters and pens in OneNote as a starting point. OneNote has a fun function where you can replay your drawing like a movie and learn from one another’s techniques and processes so students enjoyed seeing the step-by-step progression of a drawing.

Lastly, to celebrate their achievements artworks were selected as part of the SEK International School Qatar art collection. These works were framed and placed in the Science department for all to enjoy. Students were thanked for their efforts and received certificates to acknowledge their beautiful, creative work.

Grade Three’s Art-tastic Adventure!

In the 1st half of the academic year, Grade 3 students have been exploring Arts and learning about the elements of Art.

Students were exposed to the elements of colour, lines, technique, texture and shapes and created art to reflect these elements. Students had different experiences such as experimenting with colours, going on a texture hunt around the school, reflecting on artwork from famous painters and using the “See, feel, wonder” thinking routine.

Students took time to reflect on their artwork and in the final project used their knowledge of the elements of art to produce an artwork to showcase their understanding of the unit.

The students sought to make connections between art and their own understanding of emotions and well-being. We introduced the mood meter to help the children reflect and share their mood patterns more explicitly with the help of colour theory.

Throughout this unit, students incorporated communication, creative, collaboration and thinking skills as they came to understand more about the various elements of art and how they can be implemented in their own work.

Cultrural Exchange with PYP Grade 5!

What an awesome way to wrap up our migration unit and give a big shoutout to our incredible Grade 5 students! They kicked things off with an amazing song performance for their parents, and then dove into sharing a piece of their own culture. It was like a mini world tour right in the Main Hall!

And guess what? The party didn’t stop there. We all sat down for a breakfast bonanza, featuring a buffet of flavors from around the globe. It was like a food festival right here in school! Huge thanks to all parents for your generosity and well done to all the students for their hard work preparing their presentations – you made this whole event possible.  You really nailed it! 🌍🥳🥐

Celebrating International Dot Day at SEK-Qatar

International Dot Day, celebrated on September 15th every year, is a special occasion that encourages creativity, imagination, and collaboration. At SEK International School Qatar, this day was marked with a vibrant and memorable celebration that filled our campus with dots, fun, laughter, art, and even surprising musical performances.

Artistic expression through dots stole the spotlight, encompassing painting, crafting, and even creating a vibrant dotty mural. The school transformed into a hub of creativity, with students exploring various techniques and materials. The joy and pride in revealing their creations were heartwarming.

Unity and collaboration were palpable as students from different grades worked together on dot-themed projects. This camaraderie peaked in a surprise musical flash mob, inspired by dots, captivating everyone in rhythmic cheer.

Laughter filled the hallways as students and teachers immersed themselves in dot-related games and challenges, creating an infectious atmosphere of enthusiasm. International Dot Day emphasized the importance of celebrating individuality and breaking free from self-imposed limitations. It encouraged embracing the power of imagination, leaving a lasting impression on the SEK International School Qatar community.

This day became a tribute to boundless creativity, reminding students of their unique talents waiting to be expressed. It inspired them to leave their mark on the world, one dot at a time. The memory of this remarkable day will continue to motivate students to explore their creative potential and embrace self-expression.

We look forward to our next fun-filled, art-inspired day next month! 🎨

#InternationalDotDay #MakeYourMark

Radio Station Podcast #2

These past two weeks have been busy for our SEK-Qatar Radio Station team. They have prepared two interviews to include in their last podcast of this academic year, as well as few announcements to share with the school community.

We invite you to listen to their podcast and show your support by liking the post! Stay tuned for more exciting recordings after the summer vacation!

Exploring Kansas City, Missouri: A Memorable Trip for Destination Imagination Competition

As representatives of the SEK International School Qatar, we not only engaged in an intense competition of Destination Imagination but also had the opportunity to explore various places in Kansas City, Missouri. One of the highlights of our journey was participating in pin trading. The Destination Imagination competition brought together teams from different countries, each with their unique pins representing their culture, traditions, and identities. Moreover, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art mesmerized us with its architecture and its extensive collection of masterpieces, ranging from classical to contemporary art from various artists around the world.

Our visit to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Destination Imagination competition was a remarkable experience. Despite not winning the global finals, we achieved success by securing first place in Qatar, and more importantly, we gained invaluable knowledge and experiences along the way. This journey fostered personal growth, teamwork, and an appreciation for the power of creativity. Kansas City became a place where unforgettable memories were created.

We want to thank everyone for their support. Although we didn’t win this time, we see it as a starting point for improvement. We have gained valuable ideas and inspiration that will drive us to create something even better and aim for victory in the future.

Radio Station ECA

Our SEK-Qatar Radio Station team dedicates every Thursday during ECA time to their work. They put in tremendous effort to prepare programs for both the PYP and MYP Sports Days, and their endeavors paid off as both events turned out to be successful!

After Ramadan and the Eid Holidays, they have been diligently working for the past few weeks, meticulously planning the next podcast. They have drafted the script, conducted and recorded an interesting interview, and gathered valuable information for the announcements.

We invite you to listen to their podcast and show your support by liking the post! Stay tuned for more exciting recordings in the future!

SEK International School Qatar “The Depths of the Atlantic” Team soars to Global Finals after Winning 1st Place in National Destination Imagination Qatar Competition!

Destination Imagination is a renowned program that challenges students to harness their creativity and employ critical thinking skills to tackle a wide array of projects. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, participants are encouraged to think outside the box and present unique solutions to complex problems.

The Depths of the Atlantic, a group of MYP students from SEK International School Qatar, has recently achieved a remarkable victory in the local Destination Imagination competition. This impressive achievement has earned them a well-deserved first-place finish in the prestigious event, propelling them to the global finals. The team’s success is a testament to their exceptional teamwork, commitment, and creative problem-solving abilities.

To prepare for the competition, the students engaged in a series of processes including creative writing, technical design and acting. Based on the scientific research gathered on marine life, the students designed and created a character with hyperbolic traits using the features of the animals researched. This character was incorporated into a story which sent out a message of hope. Within the story, biological explanations and diagrams were used to enhance communication and develop the understanding of the characters features. To bring the story to life, the students worked together to gather suitable costumes, and create props with materials which were available to them, such as a boat. By combining all these areas and practicing to ensure the play was coherent, the students were successful in completing the Destination Imagination Far-Fetched scientific challenge. 

In addition to the team’s remarkable achievement, other teams from SEK International School Qatar also showcased their incredible talent. The 7AS1 team from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) secured an impressive third-place finish, displaying their exceptional skills and dedication. Furthermore, the Dream Team Clean Machine, also from the primary category, participated in a non-competitive capacity, demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and community service.

The success of these teams has brought great pride and joy to the entire school community. The achievement not only showcases the students’ remarkable skills but also highlights the dedication of the educators and the school’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

With their first-place victory, the depths of the Atlantic team has earned the coveted opportunity to represent Qatar and SEK International School Qatar in the global finals of Destination Imagination in Kansas USA. This remarkable accomplishment speaks volumes about the talent and potential that resides within the students of Qatar, and the team’s participation in the global finals will undoubtedly be a momentous occasion.

The entire SEK International School community stands behind The Depths of the Atlantic team, offering their unwavering support and encouragement. The team’s achievement serves as an inspiration to students across the school, demonstrating the transformative power of teamwork, commitment, and creativity.

Congratulations to The Depths of the Atlantic team, as well as the 7AS1 team and the Dream Team Clean Machine, for their outstanding achievements in the local Destination Imagination competition. Their success is a reflection of their talent, hard work, and the unwavering support of the SEK International School Qatar community. We eagerly await their performance in the global finals and have no doubt that they will continue to make us proud. Good luck, and may their creativity and innovation shine on the world stage!