Welcome to the end of another memorable term! There is no doubt, the grace of God has continued to manifest in the Taibah family. This term, the key highlight has been the theatre production and EXCELLENT is an understatement to describe what transpired. We had the most remarkable production that brought close to three thousand students and pupils on stage in one show. The costumes were exceptional, the dances, breathtaking, the music entertaining and exciting and the mix of items very professionally done. Thank you to all parents, guardians and well-wishers that turned up to morale boast the young stars!

Taibah has continued to be a home away from home! As such, the family keeps growing every year! Allow me to welcome all our new students together with their parents and guardians to our fulfilling family. You have made a choice you will never regret. Please tap into the numerous opportunities available to enjoy our broad service.

Our results for 2024 were released and outstanding for all the groups; Senior Four, Senior Six, Year Eleven and Year Thirteen. In all categories we had students scoring the highest grade. Flavia Nabaterega our top student in Year Thirteen had 3A*s in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. In Senior Six, four students scooped 20 points. Year Eleven had so many A*s and so was Senior Four. I am pleased to report that the new curriculum is an embodiment of the Taibah methods of teaching!

The Senior Five class is the pioneer of the new curriculum, and we are trying everything within our means to give them a deserving experience. We have however experienced a lot of challenges with students failing to settle in their combinations. A lot of anxiety has been observed! This situation has been made worse by parents who force their children to do subjects they are not passionate about. The same has been experienced in Year Twelve! We are therefore encouraging you to respect the choices of the children. Over the years, we have observed a high pass rate when children settle for what they love.

I am pleased to inform you of our continued expansion. The last floor of dormitories at the Cambridge campus was completed. Consequently, we have been able to bring more students into boarding, but we are still full!  This trend of events is testimony of the confidence you have in your school. Thank you for loving us.

We have also increased on the number of washrooms in the school for convenience of the learners. IN addition, a waiting shelter was constructed for our day scholars. Thank you to Dr. Suzie Nansonzi Muwanga for donating two sets of benches in appreciation for what the school did! More generous parents are welcome in any area of interest.

Congratulations to all our Moslem brothers and sisters on a successful completion of Ramathan. The number of Muslims in school has grown and one of the most expensive items has been facilitating this noble programme. I am pleased to inform you that the students had special treatment with plenty of fruits, fresh juice and food throughout the holy month. They need to be encouraged to remain faithful even after Ramathan! The Christians also observed Lent which started on Ash Wednesday. Easter and Eid were celebrated with families to strengthen family bonds!

The mathematics contest has been one of the external academic engagements this term. I am pleased to inform you that our learners did well and preparations for the next level are in high gear, your prayers are most welcome.

Owing to the big number in school and the re-introduction of Chemistry in Senior Five, we have recruited many new teachers. They have adapted swiftly to the Taibah system, and we have no doubt they will add more value. Take time to know your child/children’S teachers especially the peer tutors.  In the same breath, we have new matrons and other support staff.

The Taibah Badminton Tournament has been one of the highlights of the term. Due to Covid, this annual event had been stopped. The revival saw many schools subscribing and it is very pleasing that our students performed very well although they did not make it to the finals.

The celebration of the Francophonie day at our school is another testimony of an elevated school. The French embassy, together with Alliance Française, chose Taibah for this very important festival that brought together many schools and organisations associated with the embassy. The event was very colourful and impactful!

We have continued to match our service with current dynamics in the world and this term, another episode of our Digital Exposition was held! Students invested themselves into research and innovation to find solutions to teaching and learning using Artificial Intelligence. The level of exposure and manipulation of ICT left many of us present, wowed! Thank you to the parents that helped our children in this endeavour, Mrs. Sophia Mukasa, Mr. Eric John Ssemakula, Ms Ann Karagwa, Mr. Ernest Mwebaze, Mr. Michael Niyitegeka, Mr Bright Baba and of course, the teachers led by teacher Dan Muyomba who has been nicknamed Mr. Artificial Intelligence because of his passion.

Related to the above, we also had a career ward. This is a day when different professionals are invited into school to give guidance to the learners. The target classes are Senior Six and Year Thirteen. Such an interaction offers students an opportunity for making informed career decisions and helps them to overcome some misconceptions about careers. Thank you to all parents that accepted to facilitate this initiative pro bono.

As students continue to explore the 5Cs, this term they have come up with some new clubs to help them extend care to the community as they grow their leadership skills. The Cancer awareness and Mental Health awareness clubs have been inaugurated, and subscription is very pleasing. If contacted for help, please avail the necessary information to facilitate this peer-to-peer innovation.

During the term, we had a rare opportunity of the director addressing students at assembly. She addressed the issue of drugs so exhaustively with vivid examples and sharing of experiences. Students enjoyed her eloquence and humour as they learnt from her mind provoking speech. Drugs have become a big threat to the young generation, and it is incumbent upon all of us to educate and counsel our children before they fall victims.

The security of our students is one of our top priorities but we have faced a challenge of parents who send drivers and friends to pick up their children.  You are reminded that children are only signed out to official parents and guardians. In the event you send someone, please give them a signed copy of your national ID and notify your child’s peer tutor. In the same breath, young men and women in the name of cousins and brothers should be restricted from visiting especially during the weekend.

Some of our students have started their end of year final examinations and I am encouraging you to give them the support they need. Drama practicals were successfully done, French starts this week and during the holiday we shall do more papers including Fashion and Design. Students have been granted permission to report back earlier and at no extra cost! Let us pray for success!

Large suitcases have continued to be an inconvenience in the dormitories and contributed much to the breaking of our wardrobes. The size of suitcases acceptable in school should measure 60 X40 centimetres.

Late returning when a privilege of going home is granted has also persisted and this disorganises the teaching as teachers are forced to repeat concepts instead of progressing.  Students who go home at the weekend must report back on Sunday before 5.30 pm.

We pride as one school that feeds its children deservedly. It defeats our understanding when parents continue delivering tones of grub everyday! Grub facilitates theft and diverts attention away from the core. It also limits space and order in the dormitories plus increasing rubbish in school. You are therefore encouraged to minimise or do away with grub. School food is good and enough! In the event of a need for a snack, the school has a canteen although we always encourage them to learn to save.

Related to the above, there is a growing habit of sending food through boda boda riders. This is very unsafe and works against equality in school. Parents who want their children to have special meals are encouraged to pick up their children for the meal and return them after eating. Food is not allowed in dormitories.

We have also noted with concern the extravagance and wastage by a good number of students. There has been food wastage, exorbitant spending at the canteen and neglect of property! Educate children on scarcity amidst plenty, we have so many underprivileged people in our society! The late Pope Francis was very concerned about vulnerable people and encouraged us not to waste food.

Making life comfortable and happy is one of our objectives at Taibah. Like the Japanese, we believe in continuous improvement and as such we have started the journey of installing hot water points at dormitory ends to make showering more attractive. The pilot heaters were installed at the boys’ end and, yes, results are pleasing! We are looking at putting more next term. Children must however be taught to value property as some taps were vandalised by one’s poor conduct.

For easy keeping of class notes and fast teaching, students under the Cambridge section are given workbooks. This enables them to read ahead and exposes them to what must be covered in the class ahead of time. These expensive resources do not attract any extra cost; however, children who lose their books are required to buy for themselves a new one at fifty thousand shillings after writing to the Principal and Head Teacher explaining why and how! This has helped them to act more responsibly and value their books.

For a long time in our history, we have been having bonding trips for our Senior Five and Year Twelve then Senior One and Year Eight classes, but traffic jam and growing numbers have rendered this very challenging! Starting this year, we shall be having our bonding activities at school where students will be allowed to spend the day at the field with special bonding activities planned for them.

To inculcate the value of work and community service among our students, the voluntary services initiative is given much importance in school. All students are required to do forty hours of community service from the time they join Taibah to the time they leave. These hours have been very instrument especially to those that join universities abroad. A child who makes the forty hours qualifies for a Taibah certificate of voluntary service and this achievement is also captured in their Record of Achievement. Encourage children to engage in house chores and family projects.

The new lower secondary curriculum requires all learners to do a project in Senior Three. In case your child asks for help, please do. The project is part of their continuous assessment.

We are organising several trips abroad to expose our learners to the world and to bring to life some of the concepts they learn in class. We have a trip to France, Dubai and Mombasa. Give your child an opportunity to be exposed as this is very important in guiding their vocational choices and contribution to their own community.

Next term is another roller coaster that requires adequate planning and commitment to achieving set goals. Help the students especially candidates to bring everything they need for their prom to avoid distractions. Also, endeavour to clear all fees in good time.

Again, I want to thank you for enabling us to meet our obligations! I wish you a restful holiday and enjoyment with your children!

ANNET NANNYONJO

HEAD TEACHER, TISS