Azzan Bin Qais International School Grade 8 Cambridge Checkpoint Meeting November 2017

Welcome Ms Denise Head of Secondary Ms Nora Deputy Head of Secondary (Curriculum) Mr Barney Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral) Ms Hanan Director of Communications Mr Alan Head of Student Affairs

ABQIS is a recognised and registered Cambridge International Centre All Grade 8 students prepare for Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint Examinations These take place in April There is a very useful website: http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/

What is Cambridge Checkpoint? The tests are for English, Maths and Science. The tests are marked in Cambridge and provide schools with an external international benchmark for learner performance.

When is Cambridge Checkpoint? The exams will take place in April, in school English: 16th April Mathematics: 17th April Science 18th April We have to follow the strict Cambridge exam conditions: No electronic devices No watches Black pen Transparent pencil cases and water bottles Silence in the exam room Any malpractice has to be reported to Cambridge

Payment The cost of the exams is 30 OMR per subject The total cost for English, Mathematics and Science is 90 OMR

Deadlines Cambridge deadlines are not flexible Please help us by making the payment on time All payments must be made by 11 January 2018 When you make the payment, please tell the cashier that this is for Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint entry fees, together with your child’s name and grade

Cambridge Secondary 1 is part of the Cambridge pathway It is a learning environment which leads to internationally recognised IGCSE and A level examinations The learner reports from Checkpoint enable our teachers to plan effectively for the next steps of learning

The Cambridge learner attributes Confident in working with information and ideas – their own and those of others Responsible for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others Reflective as learners, developing their ability to learn Innovative and equipped for new and future challenges Engaged intellectually and socially, ready to make a difference VIDEO: http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/cambridge-for/parents-and-students/in-class/the-cambridge-learner-attributes/

How to prepare for Checkpoint The aim is not to cram and memorise for a test- rather it is to develop the skills needed to prepare students for the world: critical thinking; independent research; analytical skills; transfer of knowledge to new situations There will be practice tests in order for students to be familiar with the timing and types of questions

Results The results come to us from Cambridge in July Every student receives a report for each subject which tells them where they did well and where they need to improve There is no pass or fail- this is a ‘checkpoint’ Checkpoint marks are reliable predictors of future IGCSE attainment Show example of a Checkpoint report

Example report

Checkpoint Grading The maximum score is 6 5-6 = Excellent 4-4.9= Very Good 3-3.9= Good 2-2.9= Satisfactory 1-1.9= Needs improvement 0-0.9= Needs support to progress

Celebrating achievement Achievement at Checkpoint will be acknowledged. Students achieving between 1 and 4.9 will receive Bronze or Silver Certificates in Assembly. Students who achieve 5 and above in any Checkpoint exam will receive a Gold Award Students who achieve 6 in all three exams will receive a special Platinum Award These will be presented at a special ceremony in September

What next at ABQIS? An education for life: GED/IGCSE pathways (Grade 9 & 10) GED A Level pathways (grade 11 &12) Sports, clubs, MUN, events, competitions… Trips, visiting speakers, special occasions… Tomorrow’s education. Today.

Watch this space... There will be a Grade 9 ‘Option Choices Fair’ in February. Grade 8 students and their parents will have the chance to find out more about the upgraded option choices at ABQIS This will be the first step for selecting the courses for Grades 9 & 10

Q&A Thank you for coming today. Please take your letter with you.