VOL.1/ ISSUE.4/SEPTEMBER 2024 | |
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Dear Readers,
American Schools of Angola extends a warm “Back to School” welcome.
First of many firsts: first day to a new school, first day to elementary school, first day of writing with a pen, first day of football club, first day to robotics class, first day of tunning a guitar, First day to middle school, first day to high school, first day to a new role, first day to a new job, first day after maternity break, first day to internship, first day to a residency project, first day in a new country, First day of new academic year-2024-2025.
Schools are a treasure house of our achievements where each of these glorious moments were just skeptical first some time ago. We are committed to be an inclusive ecosystem where each member can thrive to #BeExtraordinary.
We also completed our first cycle of diagnostic test for academic year 2024-25. These diagnostic tests are conducted through Exact path, which is a US based diagnostic and Analytics platform. It is designed to adapt the test based on competency level of student and assign a US national percentile. We are proud to share that majority of our continuing students were either meeting or exceeding grade level expectations set out based on US curriculum transacted in classrooms in a hybrid mode. Our new members are adapted with accommodations for the new expectations towards excellence.
This edition also marks our fourth edition, we complete a year of reaching out and reporting to you. We extend a heartfelt gratitude to our parents’ community, teachers, staff and students for keeping American Schools of Angola Flag flying higher. We reshare here all our previous editions too, so soak in nostalgia and reminiscence the beautiful memories of fun, growth and success.
Onwards and Upwards
Dr. Babita Parashar
Academic Director
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Open House offers an opportunity to dive deeper into practices, pedagogy and procedures. Sharing some glimpses of our engaging day at campus. | |
GETTING READY FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR | |
Energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Planning with passion, we are all set to welcome our young scholars to the academic year 2024-25. | |
⭐HAPPY PARENT'S TESTIMONY⭐ | |
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A Testimony about ASA from Ms. Celeste Santos
For me, ASA has been a moment of CONFIDENCE, HOPE AND MUCH SUCCESS in CATHERINE SANTOS’ life, a child on the autism spectrum.
The investment in the teaching staff and the investment in the infrastructure, especially the Sensory/Ludic room, shows the commitment to a FACT INCLUSIVE EDUCATION.
The social support programmes build unique social values in the hearts and minds of our children, so the watchword is GRATITUDE, I have found RESPECT AN INCLUSION.
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FROM MS. MARTA BICKEL - TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THIS NEW SCHOOL YEAR | |
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Remain positive!
Approach this new school year without fear. Your child needs positiveness from your side and plenty of motivation!
Try a new activity like rearranging their room, buying together all school material needed, discussing during meals crucial plans for 2024/25 and so on.
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Be active at school
Try to be present at the parents' meeting to follow your child’s development. If your child is having difficulty in certain subjects, find out the expectations of the teachers concerned and the recommended working method.
Organizing a proper spot to work at home
Choose a place where your child might work in peace, without being disturbed by other family members. It is impossible to ignore all comings and goings, but you can provide a good atmosphere. Your child will appreciate your gesture!
If your child has a mobile phone, please switch it off when they are working 😊
Marta Bickel
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MS. AKY NAVEDA
Our ever so enthusiastic Upper elementary coordinator. Meticulous, diligent and proactive. A compassionate leader and competent science teacher. American Schools of Angola highly appreciates your remarkable contribution.
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Karem Bohram is our celebrated shining star. He has shown tremendous growth across all verticals. Karem is a testimony of excellence when parents, teachers and resources and in complete harmony. We are proud of Team Karem!! | |
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WELCOME TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025 | |
American Schools of Angola welcomes you to the 2024-2025 academic year. Today marks the beginning of another chapter filled with new achievements. It is a time to embrace knowledge, explore new ideas, and build lasting friendships. | |
STUDENTS ABOUT SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL | |
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Our holidays were good, we spent some time with our family and friends having fun and exploring new parts of the World.
But then, there’s school…and we are teenagers, we dislike doing the same thing for a whole year therefore we were pleased having a month off.
And going back to school…well. We still kind of need it for our future! Fortunately, we have friends here because sometimes it can be hard, overwhelming and very stressful but school gives us career advancement. Thank goodness, we have a good atmosphere at ASA, because there are less students, less trouble and distraction. Specially our lunchbreak is a good opportunity for communicating with our colleges and peers.
Ariane Fuema
Nomvuselelo Simelane
Isaac Judy
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My Summer Holidays
So, this summer I took such a nice trip. I spent all my holidays with my family. I forgot that school existed, however I worked a little bit. I went to a lot of resorts and saw a lot of animals! It was like an adventure.
Back To School
Sadly, I couldn’t go to school in the first day, but still. I went on a Wednesday, because I was late, and couldn't go to school. I was a little bit excited to see my teachers and my friends. Now, I'm in the 7th grade, and my progress it’s incredibly good. I really miss my holidays but school is good for me, and for my future too.
Clara Gaspar
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Going back to school
During my holidays first I went to Portugal to visit my family and to celebrate my birthday. In the first weeks, I just went to the beach and did normal summer stuff.
On July 23rd, one of my oldest friends came to my house for 3 days. We went to the beach and stuff like that and got ice cream.
A few weeks later, August 4th I went to my football summer camp where I slept, ate there and played a lot and made some new friends.
After 2 weeks my mom came to pick me up. Then we went home.
After that week my dad’s friend came to visit us. He brought his daughter with him, and we became good friends.
I felt very nervous about going back to school but happy though because I would be going to a new establishment, and I didn’t even know how it looked like. I was also kind of scared because I didn't know how people would treat me.
Bleer Veloso
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Back to school
Since it ended in June about two months ago, school has resumed, and a week has already passed. It has been quite enjoyable since I have missed school, and it has been fun to meet up with my classmates. The holidays were quite good, I was able to share some great moments with some friends I haven’t seen recently plus I was able to travel south to Namibia to enjoy tourist attractions, food and more. In academic terms overall, the topics that have been discussed recently have been quite easy and basic so I expect more of a challenge as the year goes on!
Djelany Lopes
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Summer holidays were really nice!
Jadiel went to Namibia and Amogh went to the USA and Canada.
Jadiel in Namibia went to his grandma’s house to visit his cousins and to explore Windhoek while Amogh was roaming around the beautiful streets of Columbus with his sisters and family. Jadiel went to several shopping centers like Grove Mall and Maerua Mall, and bought a lot of things and in the meanwhile Amogh was enjoying the Niagara Falls in a boat.
Amogh Bhardwaj
Jadiel Neto
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UPPER ELEMENTARY'S CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | |
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4th Graders: A Day at the Marina with the Captains
Our 4th-grade students embarked on an exciting educational journey to the local marina, combining hands-on learning with real-world experiences. This trip wasn’t just about seeing boats up close—it was an opportunity for our young learners to dive into the world of marine life, navigation, and boating safety. From learning the parts of a boat to exploring the vital role of water in our environment, the students embraced a day of discovery that brought their science lessons to life. Anchors away for an unforgettable adventure!
Interview to the Captains
Students: What is the deepest part of the ocean you've ever been to?
Captains: About 15m down with an oxygen tank
S: Have you ever seen any unusual or rare marine animals while out at sea?
C: We've seen Whales, Sharks, Dolphins, and the weirdest a Dolphin fish
S: How does the ocean change during different seasons or weather conditions?
C: Sometimes there are big waves, and we need to cancel the trip because it is very dangerous for the boat and the crew.
S: What is the biggest challenge you face when navigating through the ocean?
C: When the weather changes, we need to go to the safest port quickly.
S: What is your favorite part of being out on the ocean, and why?
C: Is peaceful, quiet and the fresh air
S: What is your favorite animal of the sea
C: The dolphins, are beautiful
S: What is the most dangerous animal you've see in the ocean
C: Sharks
Trip to the Marina
Kwanda Simelane
"I liked going on a boat and learning about the parts of the boat, and seeing marine animals, and I hope my next trip will be extra FUN!"
Alexander Oliveira
"I liked it when we learned about the parts of the boat. I learned the vocabulary that The Captains use, some of the words are S.O.S! that they use it when they need help. I didn't know about the vocabulary and the parts of the boat, and I hope that we go to Mussulo."
Godsfavour Ogunkunle
"I liked the boat; I learned what it is like to drive the boat. I would like to see more fish."
Joshua Almeida
"I liked that I felt like a Pirate. I learned the parts of the boat. I wanted to go to Mussulo. Next time I would like to go fishing with my friends."
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WELCOME MR. HELMER LISBOA | |
Welcome, Mr. Helmer Lisboa, to our institution. We are excited to have you as our new Administrative Officer and look forward to seeing the positive impact you will bring to our school community. | | |
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"I am thrilled to start my journey as the Administrative Officer for ASA.
I understand the significant impact my work can have on improving the processes which sahpes our students learning experiences".
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CONGRATULATION 🏅MR. BRUNO HERNANDEZ🏅 AND TAEKWONDO INTERNATIONAL DAY | | |
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Achievement Galore: Mr. Bruno Hernandez, our Physical Education Teacher achieved his 4th degree black belt, thus bearing the title of Sabonim which in Korean means “Master”.
The rigorous examination and graduation was held at Portugal for 4th dan black belt and was organised by Kukkiwon (largest and main Taekwondo institution in the world).
We are proud of the Extraordinary benchmark achieved by our Taekwondo Master
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4th of September marks the celebration of International Taekwondo Day, a day dedicated to honoring the ancient Korean martial art of Taekwondo. This martial art, which translates to ‘the way of the feet and hands,’ represents more than just physical combat skills.
It is deeply rooted in a philosophy of life that prioritizes respect, discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. Our commitment to regular taekwondo practice stems from its ability to not only enhance physical fitness but also foster mental and emotional growth, serving as a potent instrument for personal development for our students.
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INTERACTIONS WITH INTERN: MS. PAULA LOPES | |
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M.Bickel: Who is the founder of Montessori?
Paula Lopes: Maria Montessori (1870–1952) was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator best known for developing the Montessori method of education. She was one of the first women in Italy to earn a medical degree, but her passion for child development led her to education.
She began developing her educational philosophy and methods in 1897, based on the idea that children learn best in a prepared environment that encourages independence, freedom within limits, and respect for the child’s natural psychological development. She believed that education should nurture the whole child—cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
M.Bickel: Why did you choose the Montessori system?
Paula Lopes: I chose Montessori method because it is focused on the child interests. Once you understand what the child is passionate about you can build a whole narrative around it to connect all the subjects of the curriculum. When the children are very young one can encourage their curious nature and make them involved in the discovery process.
The Method is also adaptive and holistic, giving the child global view and understanding of the world around.
All the subjects are presented in a way that connection between all the subjects is easily grasped. Finally, the Montessori materials are visually appealing, concrete and scientific.
M.Bickel: Have you seen it as a challenge ?
Paula Lopes: I saw it as an opportunity to have better understanding on how the learning process can be improved. Learning a new method can sometimes be challenging, but the satisfaction of understanding a new concept is always worth it.
M.Bickel: How is Montessori different from any traditional education?
Paula Lopes:
• Teaching is mainly individual by presentations instead of in groups
• Children learn through practice of tasks
• The curriculum is broader and holistic
• The routine is based on the principle of freedom
• It emphasises self-discipline and self-motivation
• Multi-aged classes and collaborative learning
• Materials are the “TEACHER” (scientifically designed)
• Positive discipline
M.Bickel: How can a classroom be both active and orderly?
Paula Lopes: Montessori encourage peer learning, meaning that the students in the class are alowed to discuss, work in groups or even lead the presentaion on topics. However, children must also understand to respect the space they are in and regulated their behaviour in a way that does not disturb other. In a Montessori class basic rules are set in the beggining of the year and adjustments can be made when necessary (in the morning meetings for instance).
When rules are established and understood Montessori methods defends the concept of “natural consequences”. This means that the child must understand from an early stage that actions done (or undone) leads to certain results (sometimes good sometimes bad) and provided that the child security is not in danger, it is encouraged to let the child experience that too.
For example: if the child knows that it is class rule that quizzes should be completed before a break can be enjoyed , the child must also understand that if the quiz is not completed, he/she is not entitled to enjoy the break time – not punishment just a normal consequence of a prior established rule.
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TEACHERS' ORIENTATION WEEK | |
Promoting the culture of continuous learning, a series of professional development sessions were organised during Teacher's Orientation Week. As we always strive to offer excellence, this was an opportunity to train the brigade. | |
CELEBRANDO A PAZ EXPOSITION (RESILIART ANGOLA) | |
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The Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial was the scene of a remarkable exhibition in honor of National Hero Day and the International Day of Peace, promoted by Resiliart Angola on September 17, the result of an artistic residency involving artists from Angola, the United States of America, the DRC and Cameroon. The event, which also marked the celebration of cultural exchange, attracted a large audience, who enjoyed a variety of works of art depicting the struggle for freedom and the importance of peace.
The opening of the exhibition in honor of National Heroes' Day and the International Day of Peace was marked by memorable and reflective moments. Among the many attractions was a performance by Congolese artist Falonne Mambu, who brought to the stage a powerful reflection on the importance of preserving peace and the fundamental role of women in building fairer and more harmonious societies.
Falonne gave an engaging performance that combined dance, music and visual elements, capturing the attention of the audience. With expressive gestures and a narrative that illustrated women's struggle and resilience, the artist addressed issues such as gender equality, the importance of peace and the role of women as agents of social transformation.
It was also a momentous occasion as Mr. Marcos Agostinho launched the Inaugral edition of " ResilartCanvas", it is a periodical to share glimpses of revolution brought by Resiliart.
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AURORA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP | |
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Our institution received a courtesy visit from Aurora International Schools, with the aim of getting to know our teaching methodologies and strengthening ties between the two schools. The visit was a valuable opportunity to discuss innovative educational practices and collaborate in various areas.
The initiative to visit our institution is in line with the aim of fostering the exchange of experiences, especially with regard to sports practices. Both institutions seek to provide students with the opportunity to engage in classic physical activities in a competitive and healthy way, contributing to the students' all-round development. It is believed that this collaboration can broaden the opportunities for learning and interaction between students, promoting a more dynamic and inclusive educational environment.
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Please see our last editions | |
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office@asangola.com
945333000 - 945217135
NIF:5480026860
Estrada da Samba, Condóminio Rosalinda Bloco 2
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