This week I have been able to visit classrooms on a more regular basis not only to see what our students are learning but also to meet with teachers and collaborate on lesson plans, answer questions and clarify topics of interest. As you know the school has adopted a new Mathematics programme in the primary section which has a focus not only on skills (what students can do) but also on knowledge and understanding. As with any new programme, there are lots of learnings for everyone. I have been impressed with the ‘can do’ attitude of our teachers in implementing this change but also with their willingness to have me in the classrooms more. I am very much looking forward to working more with your children on their mathematics journey.
At the beginning of the week I had the pleasure of joining the grade 5’s and their Author’s Tea. The students shared their version of Omani folktales so I was able to listen to Omani Cinderella, Omani Hansel and Gretel, and many more fairytales with an Omani twist. The students presented their stories with confidence and enthusiasm.
I also stumbled across some budding veterinarians, doctors, pilots, footballers and pediatricians when walking past grade 2. There are some very ambitious students in this class which is great to see. These students also presented with enthusiasm and pride in their work.
In Secondary we have introduced our Academic Honesty policy and our AI policy. This has also been introduced into Primary at a more age appropriate level.
The policy aims to align AI use with our educational mission, promoting equity and inclusivity while enhancing learning outcomes.
All AI applications will adhere to existing privacy and data protection regulations to safeguard our students’ information and as per the IB guidelines.
While AI offers numerous benefits, it also poses risks such as privacy concerns, data security issues, and potential biases in decision-making. Our policy aims to educate students on these risks and promote critical thinking when using AI tools.
The policy outlines specific approved tools for educational purposes, examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses, procedures for reporting misuse and consequences for misuse.
Last Thursday we began the implementation of training programs for both staff and students to ensure everyone understands the ethical use of AI at Ellesmere Muscat.