Schools receive awards for planting seeds of well-being in their pupils from the nursery through to secondary. Yoga, nutrition and conflict resolution all make up a class act.
DUBAI // Schools at the forefront of developing a culture of health and happiness among pupils were this week rewarded for their efforts.
From growing organic gardens to allowing children to mediate and resolve playground conflicts, schools came up with various ingenious ways to support pupils’ well-being.
Judges for the Healthy and Happy School (H2) Awards had to sift through 28 video entries to find the winners in four categories.
Sabah Rashid, head of primary at the Swiss International Scientific School, said on Sunday that she was delighted the school had won a Health and Happiness Award.
“It’s wonderful to know the work we do has been recognised,” she said.
“We only opened last September but, right from the start, the health and well-being of pupils and staff has been at the core of what we do.”
They have the largest managed organic school garden in Dubai, where pupils plant, maintain, pick, prepare and eat their own vegetables.
“We focus on providing children with healthy, balanced meals and make sure they are responsible for cleaning up afterwards,” she said.
The school introduced soft seating in all classrooms, a sensory room and three play breaks during the day.
Pupils also enjoy yoga as part of after-school activities, have health checks.
The sunshine committee – made up of teachers – looks at ways to reward and plan well-being-related activities.
In the pipeline are new meditation gong (a type of sound therapy) classes.
Gems Wellington Academy in Dubai Silicon Oasis was given the award for most innovative school in implementing health and well-being programmes.
“We are very much a student-led school and to have won this award shows the progress we have made and the hard work we put in,” said Alana Gaffney, Emerald Primary head of house at the school.
“Not only do we offer more healthy food but we also offer breakfast, which has proved popular among pupils.
The school appoints some pupils as healthy eating champions and holds a healthy lifestyle week each year so that all pupils can learn more about a sustainable healthy diet.
They cover not just body but also mind.
“We have primary and secondary age children we train for six weeks so they are able to resolve playground conflicts,” she said.
“All of these things together help to build a school environment that is healthy and happy.”
Dubai English Speaking School was given the Star of the Community for involving pupils, teachers and parents in their well-being activities.
The school of research science received a special mention for its video submission.
Hind Al Mualla, chief of creativity, happiness and innovation at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), praised all the schools that sent in nominations.
“There have been so many wonderful ideas that were sent in to us and hopefully other schools will be inspired to start similar projects,” she said.
Highlights of other entries included one school organising a hair cut for cancer and another where more than 200 pupils cycled to school.
“It’s exciting to see such a big participation from schools and the fact they continue to prioritise healthy living is a clear indicator of positive changes taking place in Dubai’s education system,” said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of KHDA.
The H2 award was an initiative by the City Makers’ Sky Blue team, which is comprises Dubai Education Zone, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Sports Council and the KHDA.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Sky Blue team in improving the well-being of children and looking at new initiatives that can help reduce obesity among children,” said Eman Al Suwaidi, director of Dubai Model Centre, which aims to raise the quality of public services in Dubai.
nhanif@thenational.ae
SUE GRAY'S FINDINGS
"Whatever the initial intent, what took place at many of these gatherings and the
way in which they developed was not in line with Covid guidance at the time.
"Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen. It is also the case that some of the
more junior civil servants believed that their involvement in some of these events was permitted given the attendance of senior leaders.
"The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture.
"I found that some staff had witnessed or been subjected to behaviours at work which they had felt concerned about but at times felt unable to raise properly.
"I was made aware of multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff. This was unacceptable."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Men from Barca's class of 99
Crystal Palace - Frank de Boer
Everton - Ronald Koeman
Manchester City - Pep Guardiola
Manchester United - Jose Mourinho
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MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
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Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
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Starring: Jason Mamoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
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UAE Premiership
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Fixture
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All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
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United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
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Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
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Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
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Spanish Super Cup: 2017
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Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now
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Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
The specs
Engine: 3.0 twin-turbo inline six-cylinder
Transmission: eight-speed
Power: 503hp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: from Dh400,000 (estimate)
On sale: now
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