When grade six teacher Amy Rowlings returned to her classroom last week, the artwork of her pupils from last March still hung on the wall.
One by one, she removed the photographs of pupils that framed the doorway, the bright red artwork made for the Chinese New Year and green family tree cutouts. It had all been left up in the expectation they would return a few weeks later.
“Everything as it was,” said Ms Rowlings, who has taught at Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail for six years.
“I don’t think any of us had an idea at the time that it would be so long. Taking it down, piece by piece, it was definitely emotional.”
I don't think any of us had an idea at the time that it would be so long
Once last year’s art was removed, she prepared for the new pupils, carefully sanitising her hands before laying a pencil and name tag on each carefully spaced desk.
Mrs Rowlings placed a big box of masks and hand sanitiser by her desk at the front of the class and checked the sanitiser dispenser at the classroom door.
For hundreds of teachers across the country, the thrill of preparing for a new term was amplified this year after school closures in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Rowlings first set foot in the school last week to prepare for the Sunday reopening.
“Last week, it was just wonderful,” said Ms Rowlings. “You know, the buzz around school. That vibe at school, that getting excited about learning.”
“I’m just so happy for the children that will be in my class. They need that interaction with their friends.”
Of her 22 pupils, 14 return to the classroom this week and eight will study remotely by live streaming. About 87 of the school’s 1,037 pupils have chosen remote study.
Aware that children face new anxieties after months in relative isolation, Ms Rowlings' priority is ensuring children are comfortable sharing their feelings.
“Just explaining that you’re there, building mindfulness and giving them the opportunity to share their concerns in a way that feels comfortable, that’s what is key for those coming in now.”
Avril Hatch, a grade four homeroom teacher at the American Academy for Girls, had planned activities like mask designing for the new term.
On Sunday, she had six pupils back in her class for the first day of the school’s staggered start. By the end of the week, it will be back to a full class.
"We will be ensuring girls are fully aware of coronavirus and all the health and safety procedures they have to follow,” said Ms Hatch, who is from Ireland.
"They will be creating their own face masks and learning about hand washing, after which they will get their Covid-19 diplomas, which shows they are aware of how to self-care during this time."
Faten Al Zohaily, a Syrian parent and Arabic teacher at the same school, had spent the last few months teaching both pupils and her own children. Often, she would end up teaching the entire day.
"I am back at school and have sent my children to school as well,” said Ms Al Zohaily. “It’s not all about learning, the social side of being in school is very important.
"We need to balance both the physical and mental health of the children."
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
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UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
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