ICT Week at AKAM

The week of the 18^th-23 of September was extremely busy for Scott is his capacity as Professional Development Co-ordinator at the school.

AKA,M welcomed two esteemed guests from the University of Chichester – Professor Ahmed and Principal Lecturer Ms. Clark-Wilson. The University’s Mathematics Centre is one of only four mathematics education centres in the UK. The Centre has gained a major international reputation as a result of the research and development of software and web-based training materials for primary and secondary teachers.

The first 2.5 days included planning and classroom sessions with the teachers and students from the Junior School. ICT demonstrations included: the Smart Board - number boxes and lines; and the Geometer’s Sketch Pad - shapes with colors. The latter part of the week, within the Senior School, consisted of detailed sessions with the Mathematics Department and IB students in the use of graphic calculators followed by an intensive PD workshop with all faculty from the Senior School. The week concluded with an external workshop, lead by AKA,M faculty and students, for teaching colleagues from Kenya (Mombasa and Nairobi).

Scott was very pleased with the enthusiasm of the teachers and students. It was well received and a 4 page newsletter was complied of the activities during the week.

Ty's 6th and Tait's 10th Birthday Party

We celebrated Ty's and Tait's birthday together by hosting a games and swimming party at the house. We had almost 20 children (family and friends) playing parachute games, completing an obstacle course, water balloon races and swimming. For a little family time and fun we went to the bumper cars and then played some card games. FUN FOR EVERYONE!

Kenya in the News

In the District of Malindi, approximately 1.5 hours north of Mombasa, over 250 girls have been rescued from ‘early marriage.’ Most of the girls are between 10 and 14 years of age and had been married to men old enough to be their parents or grandfathers. Early marriages and pregnancies cause about 45% of school dropouts. This has a very negative impact of the girls’ education presently and in the future. Unfortunately this situation is boosted by parents needing money and arranging (selling-off) a marriage for their daughters as well as the cultural practice encouraging this situation which values the education of boys mare than girls.

Some of the parents of these girls were taken into the court and charged, while other cases were resolved locally.

First Day of Class

Exciting times as all children were in their new uniforms. It was also Ty's first day in the Junior School (Year 1) and Jordan's first day in Senior School (Year 7). All children are happy thus far with their classes and teachers.