Gateway_Annual_Review_2020

Community and ethos The keystone of the Gateway education model is the concept of integrated into the educational framework through the observance coexistence and harmony. This was the vision of our Founding of all major religious and cultural events in the country and by Father, Mr R I T Alles, who envisaged the creation of a peaceful facilitating participation and contribution by all students. This and united nation, through comradery, teamwork and education. practice was continued during 2020, despite disruptions to school Advocating the ethos of, “unity in diversity” Gateway policies attendance due to COVID-19 containment measures, with students were designed and developed from inception, to counter participating in different cultural events and other collective divisiveness by engendering mutual respect and understanding activities through online platforms, regardless of religious, or among children from diverse socioe-conomic and cultural ethnic differences. In addition, during normal school attendance, backgrounds, via the utilisation of the educational constructs. all major faiths in the country are allowed to conduct their religious services on a daily basis, enabling children to learn not only their Building communal bonds and developing an appreciation own belief system, but also to observe and be familiarised with for the differences, as well as similarities, between different other faiths. This exposure sensitises young minds towards other communities, is seen as indispensable in creating well balanced cultures, while inculcating an appreciation for all cultural values. and well-rounded individuals through an education process that The school, through its many collective activities, fosters tolerance exposed young minds to cultural diversity. Therefore, Gateway of different opinions and views, and creates a cooperative mindset makes no distinction of socio-economic background, race, religion through teamwork and sports. and/or ethnicity in the provision of educational, extracurricular and even sporting opportunities, for its students. Many events were organised year-round guided by dedicated teachers, to cultivate shared experiences and memories, while Building upon the universal-cohabitation vision of the Founding also celebrating individual talent, skill and victories, in addition to Father, Gateway continues to practice the philosophy of diversity encouraging academic achievements. This unique formula is what within the daily operations of Gateway schools. These values are makes Gateway students citizens of the world, while being Sri Lankan at heart. Framework Gateway College Annual Review 2020 47

Gateway College The Gateway Annual Review 2020 experience 50 Students 80 Teachers 90 Innovation 100 Future focus 48

The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 Security, health, and hygiene 49

The Gateway experience Students Gateway College We believe in imparting a Annual Review 2020 holistic education for our students to develop the correct mindset that will help them succeed in whatever path of life they choose to follow. 50

Community Gateway believes in community, and our diverse student body Bringing our love of learning to a host of new students each year reflects this in every way, be it race, ethnicity, geography, religion, and providing a springboard for our graduates as they aspire to academic and extracurricular interests, family circumstances, and greatness, the Gateway family is growing from strength to strength. socio-economic background. Our students are united by our vision – to be good citizens, with healthy bodies, and healthy minds. Number of year 1 enrolments At Gateway, we cultivate a collective spirit, valuing and 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 embracing diversity, while fostering excellence through the unique contribution and ability of each and every child. GC – Colombo 125 120 130 153 146 Observances of all major faiths are practised daily in all schools GC – Kandy 94 111 88 99 112 and the entire school community comes together to celebrate GC – Negombo 51 56 72 63 79 religious and cultural events. GC – Dehiwala 75 63 79 77 77 GC – Ratmalana 38 30 Total number of students GC – Colombo 2017 2018 2019 2020 No. GC – Kandy 1,899 1,963 160 GC – Negombo 1,323 1,320 1,976 1,903* 128 GC – Dehiwala 1,325 1,276* 96 GC – Ratmalana 858 910 64 Total 927 929 930 912 32 873 890 5,007 5,122 111 160 0 5,215 5,141 *Schools operating at capacity GCD GCR GCC The Gateway experience 17% 3% GCK GCN GCD GCR 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 GCC 37% GCN GCK 18% 25% Gateway College Annual Review 2020 51

Students Number of graduates from year 13 Scholarships GC – Colombo 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Gateway offers scholarships to students who excel in academics GC – Kandy as well as sports. Academically gifted students are awarded for GC – Negombo 106 95 122 110 108 excelling in IGCSEs and IALs. Additional qualifications are GC – Dehiwala 52 46 62 65 45 also considered such as BTEC and LAMDA. Gateway also offers 35 28 28 24 30 scholarships to students who excel in their field of sports and these 13 21 32 42 35 students are given extra support in ensuring that they do well in academics as well. No. Gateway also takes into consideration special circumstances where 125 our students may need support, as well as families with many 100 siblings. 75 50 The following table lists the number of students on scholarships for 25 the year 2020. 0 Academic Sports Special Siblings consideration GCC GC – Colombo 33 40 49 65 GCK GC – Kandy 17 1 31 72 GCN GC – Negombo 12 7 17 41 GCD GC – Dehiwala 12 4 18 42 GC – Ratmalana 0 0 12 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total 74 52 116 222 The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 52

Students Nationalities Sri Lankan Australian British Canadian Filipino Japanese South Korean Maldivian Pakistani Indian French Singaporean Chinese Syrian Norwegian German Austrian Israeli Seychelles Malaysian American Belarusian Indonesian Russian South African The Gateway experience Spanish Taiwanese In an increasingly divisive world, our belief of “unity in diversity” ushers in sociocultural harmony. With the multinational, multicultural, and multi-ethnic student population at Gateway College, our students grow up learning to embrace diversity. Code of Conduct responsibility, be accountable to others, and respect people and Gateway College property, thereby paving the way for them to become upstanding Annual Review 2020 Our Code of Conduct encourages self-respect, discipline, honesty, citizens. trust, good manners, and positive relationships. We strive to create a secure, calm, and creative environment in which all can thrive. Within such an atmosphere, our students learn to take 53

All-round excellence Fostering a love of learning is at the heart of everything we do at Academic highlights Gateway. From reimagining the learning experience to constantly reviewing our curriculum and content, we are committed to It is with great pride that we report that our IGCSE, AS and excellence. Our dedicated teachers also work tirelessly, providing AL results were outstanding. The predicted grades given by individual attention and care to ensure no student is left behind. the school were closely mirrored in the results moderated by Edexcel, demonstrating that our schools have acted in a professional and responsible manner. Our students also sat for the October exam series. Academic Highlights Academic High Achievers at the June 2020 Edexcel Examination The Gateway experience Advanced Level International GCSE 3 or more A-Stars – 40 Students 7 or more Grade 9s – 39 Students 4 A-Stars – 20 Students 15 Grade 9s – 2 Students 3 A-Stars – 20 Students 14 Grade 9s – 1 Student 13 Grade 9s – 2 Students Advanced Subsidiary 11 Grade 9s – 4 Students 10 Grade 9s – 7 Students 4 or more As – 48 Students 5 As – 2 Students 9 Grade 9s – 8 Students 4 As – 46 Students 8 Grade 9s – 5 Students 7 Grade 9s – 10 Students *Cumulative results from predicted grades and examinations Key stage tests Edexcel Primary and Lower Secondary Curriculum (PLSC) – Primary Gateway College P3-P1 97% 99% 100% 97% Shows the percentage who have reached Annual Review 2020 P3 or exceeded the level of expected English Mathematics Science Computing achievement 39% 24% 51% 33% Shows the percentage who have performed above average English Mathematics Science Computing 54

Students Boundary marks Maximum mark P3 P2 P1 Primary PLSC 60 35 24 16 60 46 30 13 English 60 48 35 21 Mathematics 60 44 29 14 Science Computing Edexcel Primary and Lower Secondary Curriculum (PLSC) – Lower Secondary S4-S1 100% 100% 96% 100% Shows the percentage who have reached S4-S3 or exceeded the level of expected English Mathematics Science Computing achievement 80% 63% 59% 52% Shows the percentage who have performed above average English Mathematics Science Computing Boundary marks Maximum mark S4 S3 S2 S1 Secondary PLSC 70 38 31 21 15 English 80 62 44 24 6 The Gateway experience Mathematics Science 80 59 48 34 20 Computing 80 56 43 22 9 Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint – Global Perspectives 12% 62% 24% GOLD SILVER BRONZE Gateway College Annual Review 2020 55

Students International General Certificate of Secondary This exposure also helps them make more informed decisions Education (IGCSE) when selecting subjects for their Advanced Level. Exposure to a broad range of subjects and disciplines gives To align with market needs and reduce the pressure of students a well-rounded understanding of different aspects of examinations on students, three subjects are taken in industry and society. Students develop a deeper understanding Year 10 – General Science, Information and Communications of each subject and how these diverse areas of knowledge are Technology (ICT), and Commerce. These subjects ensure that connected to each other, either directly or indirectly, thus stoking all students receive a foundation in three areas that are integral to their curiosity about the world. For this reason, we insist that our succeeding in the modern world. students take no less than 11 subjects at IGCSE Level. International General Certificate of Secondary Education % 100 80 60 40 20 0 The Gateway experience 9–1 9–4 Art and Design Accounting Astronomy Biology Business Chemistry Commerce Computer Science Economics English Language English Literature French Further Pure Maths Geography History Human Biology ICT Mathematics A Mathematics B Physics Psychology Sinhala Science (Single Award) BTEC Sport Pass Rate Distinction and Distinction* BTEC Engineering 70% 47% LAMDA 92% 58% 93% Grade 6 Distinction and Merit Grade 8 87% Grade 7 100% 100% Gateway College Annual Review 2020 56

Students Advanced Level Advanced Level (A2) % Gateway Colleges offer a wide range of subjects for students at 100 the Advanced Level in preparation for their undergraduate studies. All students are required to take a minimum of four subjects at 80 Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level and three subjects at Advanced Level (A2). Students also have the option of combining Edexcel 60 Advanced Level subjects with Diploma Programmes of NCC Education, UK, the University of Arizona Early University 40 Programme or Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Sport. 20 Advanced Subsidiary (AS) 0 % 100 80 60 40 20 0 Accounting Biology The Gateway experience Business Chemistry Computer Science Economics English Literature Further Maths Geography Mathematics Physics Psychology A2 Math  (Year 12) Accounting Computer Science Biology Business Chemistry Economics English Lan. and Lit. Further Maths Geography Mathematics Physics Psychology Law A–E A–C A – E A – C Gateway College Annual Review 2020 57

Pursuing distinction Providing students with space to engage in various co-curricular Sports and extracurricular activities is an essential part of the Gateway experience. Gateway has a proud tradition of sporting achievement, with students setting records locally and internationally. We encourage Our co-curricular and extracurricular offerings and culture set students to participate, and ensure our campuses are equipped us apart. We strongly believe in holistic education that develops with facilities that enable them to compete in a wide variety of students’ confidence and self-esteem, leadership abilities, and sports. In addition to gaining a sense of belonging and increased interpersonal skills. A rounded education also exposes students self-esteem, sport also contributes to better health and fitness, and to new opportunities and experiences, teaches them essential inculcates a sense of sportsmanship, competitive spirit, leadership, life-skills, and helps them lead healthier, more active lives. meticulousness, cooperation, and team spirit. We take our responsibility very seriously, working closely with With the pride of place given to sport at Gateway, 21 students students to ensure that they are able to experience everything represented Sri Lanka in various disciplines in the recent past. we offer. As many international events were not held this year due to the global pandemic, many of our students selected to represent Research shows strong linkages between co-curricular and Sri Lanka could not take part and perform at events. Their extracurricular activities, where one influences the other to create achievements are a testament to Gateway’s commitment to sport, strong academic performance, higher academic aspirations and a and an inspiration to other students who wish to take up sport. more positive attitude to learning and schooling among students. The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 58

Students Level of student participation in sports Although many sports activities did not happen physically, our online sports programmes and boot camp challenges made sure that our students were actively engaged with their coaches and peers from home. Participation by students GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC–Ratmalana 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 Number of students taking part in 1 sport Number of students taking part in 2 sports 560 548 442 396 295 299 293 259 22 29 Number of students taking part in 364 376 222 225 146 156 170 173 32 33 3 sports or more 235 225 81 93 66 83 160 188 12 49 GC-Colombo GC-Kandy GC-Negombo GC-Dehiwala GC-Ratmalana Athletics Female 53 25 26 35 27 Badminton Male 59 30 37 45 33 Basketball Total: 112 55 63 80 60 Chess Cricket Female 65 10 11 20 1 Football Male 80 15 09 39 2 Karate Total: 145 25 20 59 3 Netball Female 95 58 25 12 21 The Gateway experience Male 170 64 41 85 38 Total: 265 122 66 97 59 Female 27 26 22 20 24 Male 78 82 45 30 10 Total: 105 108 67 50 34 Male 48 64 18 30 1 Total: 48 64 18 30 1 Female 35 – 03 12 – Male Total: 160 46 19 50 7 Female 195 46 22 62 7 Male Total: 20 11 3 20 22 Gateway College Annual Review 2020 Female 85 14 17 30 30 Male Total: 105 25 20 50 52 47 43 36 20 2 ––––– 47 43 36 20 2 59

Students Rowing Female GC-Colombo GC-Kandy GC-Negombo GC-Dehiwala GC-Ratmalana Squash Male Swimming Total: 7 – – –– Table Tennis 18 – – –– Tennis Female 25 – – –– Male Total: 08 – – –– 30 – – –– Female 38 – – –– Male Total: 202 28 108 68 49 280 35 133 155 57 Female 482 63 241 223 106 Male Total: 25 24 – –– Female 30 34 – –– Male 55 58 – –– Total: 20 24 25 8 52 1– 45 9 76 11 17 21 The Gateway experience Annual sports encounters commenced his journey as a teacher of Royal College where he served for over 10 years. Having served as founder Principal of Gateway College Gateway wins the Neville De Alwis-Ralph Alles D.S. Senanayake College and Gateway College, as well as State Annual Review 2020 Challenge Trophy for the second time in a row Secretary of Education, he is remembered by many as one of the The second annual football encounter between S. Thomas’ College finest educators the country has produced. and Gateway College, took place in January 2020, with both teams vying for the prestigious Neville De Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Both S. Thomas’ College and Gateway College continuously strive Trophy. Named after two renowned educators, this trophy is a towards the development of sports in this country. What these reminder of everything they stood for; camaraderie, sportsmanship two schools invest in their sportsmen will not only benefit the and equal opportunity. individuals themselves, but also the schools they come from and the country they so proudly represent. The late Mr Neville De Alwis served as the 15th Warden of S. Thomas’ College from 1983 to 1998 and during his tenure The inaugural encounter played in January, 2019 saw the team the school witnessed growth and development in all spheres from Gateway College emerge victorious with a remarkable including academic, extracurricular activities and infrastructure. display of skilful manoeuvring and excellent teamwork. The His visionary leadership and outstanding qualities as an educator second match was held on 25 January 2020, at 6.00pm, at the were well ahead of his time. Similarly, the late Mr Ralph Alles, Race Course Grounds, Colombo. Both teams were well matched to give spectators a treat and the atmosphere was electric as Gateway College Colombo took on S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia. Although relatively new to the football scene, the Gateway team had proved their mettle over the years and were out to retain the trophy, which they won at the inaugural encounter last year. 60

Students The Thomians, once again led by Shevan Ebenezer, promised a Darmendran Shivadarshan of S. Thomas’ College was adjudged more competitive match this time around and they certainly did Best Goalkeeper, whilst Areeb Niyas of Gateway College was voted not disappoint. The early part of the game saw free-kicks and the Player of the Match and Binitha Chandrasena of Gateway long crosses from Gateway, which caught the Thomian defence off College won the Golden Boot for the only goal of the game. guard, giving Gateway a goal in the second minute of the game. However, the Thomians soon settled into the game and retained the Before the main event, a series of matches were held between the ball for longer, thereby adding pressure on Gateway and preventing two schools, which highlighted the future talent in both schools. any further goals. These matches began with the Gateway U12s who took on the S. Thomas’ U12s and defeated them in a penalty shoot-out. As the game resumed after the break, the team from S. Thomas’ This was followed by the match between the U14 teams, in returned forcefully, but the Gateway defence stood strong, fending which S. Thomas’ College emerged victorious with a score of off the attack until the final whistle. Gateway College Colombo 1-0. Next in line was the U16 match, where S. Thomas’ College successfully retained the trophy (1 – 0) for a second year running, once again emerged victorious with a score of 3-0 as they showed showing how far this young international school has come in the an impressive display of pace, shooting, and intensity. Sri Lankan footballing arena. The girls’ football teams from the Overseas School of Colombo The Gateway College team and Gateway College Colombo, faced off before the main event of the day, demonstrating the heights reached by girls’ football Areeb Niyas (Captain), Rafaah Suhail (Vice in Sri Lanka, with the Overseas School emerging victorious, on a Captain), Infas Iqbal (GK), Dwayne De Mel, penalty shootout. Imad Imran, Alan Fernando, Lushane De Silva, Isa Fahim, Samunu Kaggodaarachchi, Nansika Kaggodaarachchi and Binitha Chandrasena The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020   61

Students Gateway, Trinity, Hillwood, and St. Sylvester’s initiate every child, irrespective of social and economic differences or annual hill country quadrangular where they receive their education, to reach their potential in In celebration of its 20th Anniversary, Gateway College Kandy education and sports. The quadrangular encounters were planned hosted the inaugural Quadrangular Encounter, which is an annual with exactly this vision in mind. The event took place in the first sports competition for basketball, football, and netball. This event week of February. was organised not only to mark the great strides taken by Gateway Kandy in becoming one of the foremost international schools in the Gateway College Kandy pushed through stiff resistance to country, but also to promote goodwill with prominent national and beat Trinity College 2-1, to win the R I T Alles - Ireland Jones private schools in Kandy, thus furthering national cohesion. Challenge Trophy for football. Trinity College was first to score but Gateway Kandy who enjoyed most part of the possession, came This is the first time any international school, or national school, back strongly in the second half to clinch the game. Gowtham in the Hill Country, has attempted to hold a sports encounter of Ravindran of Trinity was named the Best Goalkeeper and Venura this nature involving several other schools. The founder Chairman Gunarathne of Gateway was recognised as the Player of the Game. of Gateway College, the late Mr R I T Alles, envisioned enabling Gateway College Kandy Vs. Trinity College Kandy The Gateway College team: Ayaz Illiyas – (Captain), Ameen Amanulla, Ammaar Amanulla, Azeem Azmeer, Shane Yodeshwaran, Dhimaj Rizlan, Athiq Inthikab, Sajiyha Jayasingha, Saif Salman, Raaid Rizwan, Raaid Inthikab, Venura Gunarathne, Sahil Salman, Shahik Shiyam, Aaqil Fazlan, Mahadi Fawmi, Salman Zawahir, Abdullah Anees The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 62

Students Hillwood College, Kandy emerged strongly to outdo the girls of between the Girls’ High School and Hillwood College Kandy. Gateway College Kandy, to win the Rohini Alles – Somakumari It was this historical significance that prompted Gateway College Samarasinghe Challenge Trophy for netball. Hillwood dominated Kandy, to include these two schools in the annual sports encounter. the game throughout, to win by a margin of 32-15. It was a pleasure to see Mrs Rohini Alles herself gracing the occasion to handover The Asoka Herath - Ranil Meetiyagoda Challenge Trophy for the trophy. Special awards were won by Shenali Jayaweera of basketball was won by Gateway Kandy that recorded an easy 58-26 Gateway (Best Defensive Player), Rovindi Abeysinghe of Hillwood win against St. Sylvester. The special awardees were – Kanchana (Best Shooter), Gihansa Nakandalage of Gateway (Best Centre Jayasinghe from St. Sylvester – Best Offensive Player, Vinuk Court Player) and Samudra Rajapaksha of Hillwood (Netball Walisundara – Best Defensive Player and Seshith Ariyawansa – Queen). Girls High School Kandy beat Gateway College Colombo Most Valuable Player. 14 -7 in the invitation game. It was the Girls High School Kandy, that introduced netball to the Island, under the leadership of In the invitation girls’ game, Gateway Kandy had a very Ms Jenny Green. The first netball match in Sri Lanka was played comfortable win over Hillwood with a score of 29-16. Gateway College Kandy Vs Gateway College Kandy Vs St. Sylvester’s College Kandy Hillwood College Kandy The Gateway College team: The Gateway College team: Seshith Ariyawansa (Captain), Shenali Jayaweera, Budmi Rajapaksha, Vinuk Walisundara, Aaqib Doray, Nima Deen, Emina Buksh, Fathima Zuhaira, Saalim Zulkifly, Amhar Feroze, Ganeth Amadoru, Rashmi Rajapaksha, Limansa Premasara, Shane Yogeshwaram, Malindu Lokumarambage, Binuri Rajapaksha, Sandaru Kumarasinghe, Manek Peter, Mark Peter, Manula Hewawasam, Gihansa Nakandalage, Yasasvi Kodithuwakku, Ameen Amanulla, Ammar Amanulla, Anagi Manathunga Royston Fernando, Pornthichai Yaemplab The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 63

Students Marie Musaeus - Rohini Alles Netball Challenge Trophy as the Guest of Honour. The lively and fun-filled event included held for the 3rd year music by western and eastern bands from both schools. The third annual netball match between Musaeus College Both teams had players who represented the country at the Asian and Gateway College, for a trophy which commemorates two Youth Netball Championship and of the Sri Lanka Schools Netball outstanding women who have made their mark in the field of Team. Gateway’s Aneesha Perera and Vishmika Rathnayake education, was held on Saturday, 29 February from 2.00pm were part of the team that finished 3rd in the Asian Youth onwards, at the Gateway College Grounds in Ratmalana. Championship, while Tiana Bollegala from Musaeus College The main focus of the encounter was the Under-20 match represented the Sri Lanka Schools. Musaeus College secured a between the two schools. An exhibition match too, was played dominant 40-18 win against Gateway College to retain the Marie between Bishop’s College and Gateway College Kandy. Emerging Musaeus-Rohini Alles Challenge Trophy and achieve a hat-trick talent was highlighted by incorporating an Under-15 match at the of wins. start of the event. A friendly match between the past pupils of the two schools was also played prior to the main encounter. The Gateway College team: Ms Somitha De Alwis, former captain and coach of the National Aneesha Perera (Captain) Netball Team, was the Chief Guest at the event. Mrs Rohini Alles, Vishmika Rathnayake (Vice Captain) Managing Director of Gateway College also graced the occasion Nidusha Sri Kanth, Kaylee Kumarasinghe, Shenaily Fernando, Marisha Premathilake, Shana Carine, Methuli Erahapola, Chanumi Mehansa, Sanuthi Rodrigo, Shenell Yahathugoda, Rithu Munasinghe The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 64

Students Royal Vs. Gateway : Annual Basketball Encounter for Royal College won the first encounter, while Gateway College won the Alles - Gunasekara Trophy in the second year. The Royal College team returned to victory in the third year. These annual encounters have already created The fourth annual basketball match between Royal College and a “Big Match” atmosphere between the two schools. The skill, Gateway College for the Alles-Gunasekara Trophy, was scheduled fun, and the excitement during these encounters have contributed for September 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 prevention towards the objective of making basketball a spectator sport. restrictions on large gatherings, the event had to be cancelled. This encounter is unique in that, a leading national school, one of the oldest in the country, and a premier international school, one of the youngest in the island, compete in healthy rivalry and comradeship. The “Alles-Gunasekara” Trophy is named after two key personalities connected to the two schools. The late Mr R I T Alles, the Founder of Gateway College and the late Mr E Christie Gunasekara a Royalist and a longstanding Vice Principal of Royal College and former President of the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association. The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 65

Students The Gateway experience Gateway hosts the 20th International Schools’ Athletics Over the years, ISAC has become an important event that not Championship (ISAC 2020) only breeds talented athletes but also showcases junior athletes of The International Schools’ Athletics Meet which commenced in international repute. There is no doubt that the event is of national the year 2001 has established itself as the flagship sporting event significance. Since the inaugural competition, the standard of in the international schools’ calendar. ISAC 2020 has special athletics among international schools has gradually advanced to significance for Gateway College who pioneered this meet, as this an extent where several athletes have now reached national and is the 20th year celebration of the championship. This gigantic international levels, providing much required competition at the event was initiated by Gateway’s Founder, the late R I T Alles, highest levels. Athletes of the calibre of Shelinda Jansen, Sadeepa whose contribution to sports in international schools has brought Henderson, Sachini Divyanjalee and Kavindu Bandara, are a few significant gains for the country. such examples. Shelinda Jansen of Gateway College Colombo, who excelled at The International Schools’ Athletics Championship was held the Youth Olympics held in Argentina, received the R I T Alles from 14 to 16 February 2020 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Challenge Trophy and the Edexcel Challenge Trophy for the The championship comprised approximately 2000 athletes from second successive year by winning both the 100m and the 23 reputed international schools and 350 technical officials, 200m at ISAC 2020. officiating at the event. A large gathering of over 15,000 students, parents and past pupils attended the event. Clubs and societies ISAC 2020 was conducted in accordance with TISSL rules and Gateway offers students a vast choice of co-curricular activities to regulations, while coming under the International Athletics complement their studies. We encourage students to move beyond Federation Competition Rules. The Championship is fully their comfort zone and discover new skills and interests in a safe computerised with web-based entries and instantly accessible and supportive environment. These activities help students develop results and scores, via the Internet through the ISAC website in ways not possible through a purely academic approach. www.isaclk.com. Designed and developed by Gateway Consultancy Services, this website provides all necessary information, including * Although clubs and societies did not operate physically, activities past meet records and full lists of competitors for this year’s meet. were carried out through virtual environments, such as live broadcasts and Microsoft Teams meetings. Mrs Rohini Alles, the Managing Director of the Gateway Group was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony, on Saturday the 15th , while Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, the Minister of Foreign Relations and Minister of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations and Leader of the House of Parliament, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest on Sunday the 16th of February. Ms Premila Paulraj, Regional Director – Asia, Pearson PLC and Mr Nalin Herath, Chairman of Home Lands Skyline, were the Guests of Honour for the closing ceremony. The principal sponsors of the event were Pearson Edexcel and Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. The event was also supported by Home Lands Skyline, The Hatton National Bank, DSI Samson Group, Airtel, Oxford University Press, Asiri Health and the Gateway Graduate School. Gateway College Annual Review 2020 66

Students Level of student participation in clubs and societies   GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC –Ratmalana Participation by students 2019  2020 2019  2020 2019  2020 2019  2020 2019  2020 Number of students taking 1 Club/Society 214 173 142 132 157 210 99 91 14 13 81 60 41 61 113 97 Number of students taking 2 Clubs/Societies 188 146 68 40 31 24 167 135 Number of students taking 3 Clubs/Societies or more 192 134 Clubs and societies GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC-Ratmalana Art Club/Art Society Astronomical/Aviation Society Secondary 65 20 – 34 – Broadcasting Unit Secondary 20 Buddhist Society (Secondary) Secondary 27 52 – 13 – Business Club Secondary 125 Christian Society (Secondary) Secondary 35 23 – 42 – Community Service Club Secondary 120 Dancing Club (Negombo) Secondary 105 25 17 35 – Primary – Debating Society Secondary – 37 – 44 – Drama Total: – Duke of Edinburgh Secondary 25 25 – 30 – English Literary Secondary 90 Secondary 120 65 24 30 – Environmental Society Primary – First Aid Society/ Secondary 25 – 114 – – St. John’s Ambulance Total: 25 French Society Secondary 52 – 15 – – General Knowledge Club Geography Society/Geo Bees Secondary 25 – 129 – – The Gateway experience Hindu Society (Secondary) Secondary 79 History Society Secondary 30 25 11 38 – ICT and Photography Society Secondary 45 Secondary 50 50 17 21 – Secondary 140 Secondary 75 62 – – – –– 39 – – 19 4 – – 22 13 15 – 46 – 35 – – – 10 – 40 – – – 15 – 44 – – – Gateway College Annual Review 2020 10 17 22 – 18 – 12 – 55 – 9– 67

Students Clubs and societies Secondary GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC-Ratmalana Secondary 64 – – – Interact Club Secondary 60 25 18 74 – Islamic Society (Secondary) 65 – – 30 – Maths Society 85 Media/Journalist/ 10 9 – – Newspaper Club Secondary 120 24 16 81 – MUN Secondary 30 Roman Catholic Society – 18 – – (Negombo) Secondary – 63 15 62 – Science Society Secondary 50 – 17 – – Sea Scouting Secondary – 20 – 26 – Sinhala Society Secondary 76 24 – – – Toastmasters Secondary – –––– Law Society Secondary 25 The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 68

Students Afternoon activities Level of student participation in afternoon activities Participation by students GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC–Ratmalana 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 Number of students taking part in 1 afternoon activity 353 397 310 297 176 238 90 123 51 49 Number of students taking part in 20 27 1 13 2 afternoon activities 117 170 105 122 19 62 56 −3 Number of students taking part in 17 55 17 23 2 14 3 afternoon activities or more Afternoon activities Primary GC–Colombo GC–Kandy GC–Negombo GC–Dehiwala GC–Ratmalana The Gateway experience Art and Craft (Primary) Primary Ballet/Dancing Primary 84 52 60 – – Gateway College Choir (KS 1) Primary 120 42 47 5 – Annual Review 2020 Cubs (Primary) Secondary 50 70 30 53 21 Electronics Secondary 23 – – – – Girl Guiding Primary 33 – – – – Junior Band Primary 10 18 – – – Junior Choir Primary 55 6 14 – – L.M.D. Primary 50 40 49 21 – Little Friends Primary 8 – – – Oriental Dancing Secondary – – – – – Total: 35 – – – 15 Poetry Club (Negombo) 29 – – – 2 Scouts (Secondary) Primary 13 – – – 17 Scrabble Secondary 42 – 23 – – Primary – 10 – – – Sculpture (KS 2) Secondary 5 23 40 – – Senior Band/Orchestra Total: – 36 – – – Senior Choir 19 59 40 – – Primary 19 – – – – Secondary 13 25 18 11 – Secondary 20 75 41 28 – 35 69

Students Performing arts visual arts tend to show positive academic and non-academic results. The performing arts are given special significance at The arts are essential to life. They have the potential to shape Gateway as a means for students to gain self-confidence and and define who we are and how we understand ourselves and develop a deeper appreciation of literature. what we can be. We see dance, drama, music, and visual arts as fundamental to cultural engagement and personal With our belief that a high quality, participatory arts education development. Artistic experiences fuel imagination, which in can have the greatest impact, we encourage our children to turn fuels creativity. take to the stage early in their lives as a preventive measure against self-consciousness and shyness in public – an area where Gateway encourages its students to be more involved in the arts. Gateway has seen rapid progress in a relatively short time frame. Students who choose to participate in dance, drama, music, and The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 70

Students Primary concerts Despite being a young school, Gateway College has always The Gateway experience encouraged the members of its drama club to participate in one Primary concerts are held biennially in each school. All students of our country’s most prestigious drama competitions, which is from the Primary Schools take part in these events, which give the “Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition.” This has them an opportunity to display their talents. The students entertain resulted in Gateway students winning many nominations, as well the audience by singing, dancing, and acting in a variety of genres, as some of the most coveted awards of the event over the past six bringing to life extracts and songs from famous musicals and years. Aquila Abdeen won Best Actress for the Year 2016, for her fairy tales. portrayal of Cleopatra, followed by Dion Sethunge, tying for the award of Best Actress for the Year 2019, also for her portrayal of In 2020, the Primary concert had to be cancelled at Gateway Cleopatra. Colleges Colombo, Negombo and Kandy, as the schools were not functioning physically for most of the year due to COVID-19 Gateway College Dehiwala staged Bedside Manor, the musical related restrictions. We hope to hold the concerts next year, along written by Tim Kelly with music by Gerald Castle and lyrics by with Gateway Colleges Ratmalana and Dehiwala, which have Micajel C Vigilant. It was a thrilling and exciting enactment, scheduled concerts for 2021. beginning from its hilarious plot, to its whimsical characters, its quirky staging, catchy melodies and the drama behind it all. The Drama and theatre musical was set in a hospital with doctors and patients in comical and funny scenes that left the audience in stitches. The production Gateway is one of only a few international schools in the country was directed by Jerome De Silva and Ms Dmitri Gunathilake. Two where drama and theatre are an integral component of the shows were held, an afternoon show for school students and an curriculum and an extracurricular activity. With increasing evening performance for the public, on 28 February 2020, at the knowledge and understanding of how the elements of drama work, Gateway College, Dehiwala auditorium. students are empowered to effectively shape and express their ideas, feelings, and responses by employing language, allegory, Interhouse drama competitions unveil new talent and metaphor. This year’s Interhouse Drama Competitions held by our schools brought out many new talents to the stage. The Interhouse Drama As a central part of the Gateway Primary School curriculum, Competition at Gateway College Colombo revolved around the students from Years 1 to 6 have the choice of taking graded theme, “Four female figures who made a difference in the history of examinations from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Sri Lanka.” The student directors, producers, and the scriptwriters (LAMDA) at the end of every academic year. From 2020, Gateway of the four houses of the school, namely, Dudley, Stephen, Solomon introduced LAMDA group examinations to our school curriculum and Lionel, devised scripts based on the unsung contributions for KS 2, in a bid to enhance drama in the Primary School. While made by the queens, Kuveni, Viharamaha Devi, Soma Devi and lessons will go according to LAMDA requirements, examinations Sugala Devi, respectively. The challenge presented to the students remain optional. Students will cover a range of disciplines, including was to reveal a new perspective on the selfless sacrifices made by acting, reading for performance, speaking in public, miming and these brave women in the name of national sovereignty. speaking verse and prose throughout the year. At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to sit for an internationally recognised qualification, should they wish to do so. The introduction of graded examinations (Grades 6 to 8) in the Advanced Level solo acting syllabus of LAMDA (gold, silver, and bronze medals) to IGCSE students, has met with commendable success. Pass Rate 93% Distinction and Merit Gateway College Annual Review 2020 87% 100% 100% Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 71

Students It was evident that the student scriptwriters had researched heavily Dance in order to produce engaging plots while maintaining historical accuracy. The experience of viewing these performances staged Western and oriental dance troupes in every Gateway school by the four houses in the challenging setting of an open-air space, add life and vibrancy to all important school events. Gateway impressed the judges of the event, who praised the efforts of keenly promotes aesthetic activities as a vital part of the all-round the students at creating a valuable learning experience for both education we offer. Students are trained in traditional Kandyan children and adults. dance, Indian folk dance, Middle Eastern dance, Western/Latin American dance, Hip Hop dance, and Rhythmic dance. The Gateway experience Gateway College, Negombo had their interhouse drama competition Music in February 2020. Students from year 6 upwards participated in this competition under the guidance of Mr. Jerome De Silva. Research on music education finds that music facilitates learning and enhances skills of students. Children exposed to, and learning The four respective houses performed extracts from Oedipus Rex about music, are better able to understand the world and learn by Sophocles, Medea by Euripides, Oresteia by Aeschylus and other subjects. Accordingly, in all Gateway Colleges, students an improvisation of Frogs by Aristophanes. With students taking are enthusiastically encouraged to join the choir, participate in up the roles of directors, they edited their own scripts, looked musical drama productions, play in the band, and perform at talent into costumes, props, lighting and cast their own characters. This contests. Several opportunities and continuous training are also in turn, gave the students an opportunity to be creative while provided for these activities. taking up a leadership role. It also helped to elevate their ability to converse and maintain composure, eliminate nervousness and The choristers of our junior and senior choirs are the voices of joy improve their discipline. at all school functions. All choristers participate in the Annual Christmas Carol Service and Bhakthi-Gee Ceremony, as well as Lionel house emerged as winners in the competition while Dudley in school musical productions. Interhouse singing competitions house, grabbed the first runners-up title. provide a platform for students of the four houses to develop their solo and group singing prowess. This year, with schools functioning virtually, our choristers took part in these events virtually. Both the Junior and Senior Choirs of Gateway College Negombo won the Bathi Gee competition of the virtual Vesak event. As with the virtual celebrations we had for Avurudu and Vesak, our teachers and students also performed the “Annual Christmas Carol Services” in a virtual environment. The four programmes featuring each of the schools, with Gateway Dehiwala and Ratmalana partnering together, were “premiered” through the official YouTube channel of the school. There was a tremendous response to the programmes and much praise that despite trying circumstances, Gateway continues to find avenues to not disrupt our students’ regular events. Gateway College Visual arts Annual Review 2020 Art gives students the autonomy to think beyond books and borders that academic studies can impose. With art being a compulsory subject from Foundation to Year 9, students are encouraged from a young age to engage in and enhance their imagination, creativity, expression, visual thinking, observational problem solving, and analytical skills. For students from Year 10 to A-Levels who choose to pursue the development of these skills, art is offered as a subject choice. 72

Students Students who wish to indulge further in the development of We take pride in being an international school in a Sri Lankan their artistic sensibilities can do so through the Afternoon Art setting and as our mission statement claims, we “Inculcate Club. Annual exhibitions provide an avenue for students to Sri Lankan values and culture in a pluralistic setting” and highlight their talents through many media, including acrylic, oil, “Promote a sense of belonging to the alma mater and motherland.” watercolour, and mixed mediums. Hence all our themes have been in relation to promoting these values. The first year’s theme was “Breaking Free – in Gateway’s approach to education is a holistic one. As a Microsoft commemoration of the 70th Independence Day of Sri Lanka”. Showcase School, we strive to integrate technology in a positive The theme in 2019 was “Flora and Fauna of Sri Lanka.” manner wherever and whenever possible. However, we also believe in adding that “A” into STEM by placing an emphasis on This year’s theme for the Digital Art Competition and Exhibition the arts on par with science, technology, engineering and maths. was “Sri Lanka in 2025” and was organised by Gateway College Artistic experience fuels the creative imagination and provides Kandy. We believe the learning by students was transformative, students with the ability to shape and define their identity and as apart from producing their art in digital media, we also gave self-expression. our young artists a voice, by extending the initiative to include a platform where they could record a video describing their art The advancement in digital technology has given students many using Flipgrid. “Flipgrid”, which is a social learning platform creative paths to explore. Gateway is cognisant of the role of art in dedicated to education, allows students to record videos in a safe digital media, and the rapidly growing opportunities available. environment. This meant that we were able to understand the As digital art enhances students’ imagination, creativity, ideas behind the artwork better. Every entry had the QR code to expression, visual thinking, problem solving, and analytical their Flipgrid video and visitors were able to enjoy the student’s skills, we introduced a Digital Art Competition and exhibition art across different media. Parents were thrilled to see their child organised by the ICT Societies of each of the schools, on rotation. “appear” on their phones when they scanned the art, eloquently The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 73

Students describing their vision for their country. This was an amazing in these excursions with the intent of gathering experiences that can be example of how technology and art combine to help students put into practical application within a classroom setting. learn transferable 21st century skills. Use of different media allowed us to create positive learning experiences, give students Every Grade is taken on an annual class trip to places of interest and the tools to explore creative, new ways of problem-solving, innovate educational value in Sri Lanka. Our students also explore Sri Lanka and explore ideas that ignite their curiosity. through the Duke of Edinburgh programme, the BTEC sports curriculum, and as part of their club or society activities. Students are Excursions also given the opportunity for international excursions during their time in school. We believe that experiential learning plays a vital role in the educational landscape, helping students gain valuable experience However, due to the travel restrictions following the global pandemic, and life lessons through real-life situations. Gateway provides great our students were unable to visit places physically, but many engaged opportunities for excursions and visits to local and international in virtual trips that included tours to NASA, undersea explorations and locations of educational value. Students are encouraged to participate even virtual tours of Sigiriya. https://flipgrid.com/digiart2020https:// ipgrid.com/digiart2020 https:// ipgrid.com/virtualavurudu2020 The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 74

Successful futures Gateway’s responsibility towards students does not end with the Higher education counselling unit completion of secondary education. We include vocational streams in our schools and recognise the significance of higher education. Our As students venture into higher education, they may find the transition facilities and curricula help students identify their own abilities and challenging. Every Gateway school has an Assistant Higher Education groom their interests. Our teachers and higher education counsellors Counsellor reporting to the Team Leader – Data Analytics and Higher help navigate the myriad academic pathways that lie before them, and Education overlooking all four schools. They help prepare our students our partnerships with the world’s foremost higher education institutes to be university-ready by working closely with them at every step, ensure students have the best opportunities for future success. right up to the application process for top universities. Our counsellors regularly attend foreign university trainings and visits to stay up to As an internationally-accredited learning institution, Gateway date, and provide essential guidance for our students. produces students of academic excellence worthy of placement in prestigious seats of learning. Since our inception, we have produced See pages 100 to 109 for information about how we focus on the future, innovative leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and other professionals establish partnerships, and connect our students with the world. who explore important questions in education and share exciting ideas and best practices with the world. Many of our students aspire to gain admission to respected universities around the world, including those belonging to the Ivy League in the US, the Russell Group in the UK, the Go8 in Australia, as well as to institutions in Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and India. The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 75

Well-being The Gateway experience Student well-being has always been a key component of the holistic • School Counsellors education that Gateway provides. Its importance has been renewed • Soft skills programmes Gateway College with our plans for creating an agile, innovative, and future focused, • The etiquette programme Annual Review 2020 hybrid deep learning system, which focuses on three key areas: • The Founder’s Award providing quality learning, shifting from digital as delivery to • Subjects such as global perspectives and civics connectedness and ensuring well-being. • The use of platforms such as Flipgrid/Sway/MS Teams for student We acknowledge that well-being is a critical precondition for voices to be heard. learning and all aspects of well-being are looked at, such as psychological, social, cognitive and physical well-being. This year, with the many challenges faced due to the global pandemic, we made sure that the well-being of our students Physical well-being ensures the ability to follow a healthy lifestyle was not affected by continuing their education online, and based on self-reported measures of physical activity and nutrition. connections with their teachers and colleagues were maintained Students’ health has been shown to be associated with a sense while providing support where necessary. of connectedness to school, family, and community. Taking part in physical activity has been shown to contribute to well-being To gauge the well-being levels of our students, we conducted a in both the short and long term by generating positive emotions survey of students of Years 10 to 13 using the EPOCH Measure and reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Sensible of Adolescent Well-being* which measures five different eating and a good diet, physical activity, avoidance of drug use, positive characteristics that together support higher levels of and a self-protective approach to sexuality are all essential aspects well-being. The EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well-being of well-being, and the school promotes these aspects through follows the EPOCH definition of well-being as an amalgam of activities such as: five: engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness. Students completed this 20-item survey by responding • Improved PE curriculum on a 5-point Likert scale to statements such as “I feel happy… In uncertain times, I expect the best…I am a hard worker”. • Choice of all major sports on offer This measurement has been tested with adolescents of different socio-economic situations across Australia and the United States, • State-of-the-art sports facilities including juvenile offenders, students, and patients in hospitals. • Soft skills programme * Margare L Kern, Lisbeth Benson, Elizabeth A Steinberg, Laurence Steinberg – University of Pennsylvania and Temple University • BTEC Number of participants by grade • The newly introduced Founder’s Award No. 175 • DoE 140 • Excursions/class trips 105 • Relevant topics embedded in subjects such as science, PE, Global Perspectives etc. 70 Social emotional (psychological/social) well-being involves 35 acquiring and effectively applying the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understanding and managing emotions, setting 0 and achieving positive goals, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and These characteristics reported through the survey we believe are making responsible decisions. more important in the context of the pandemic. Year 10 Cognitive (readiness to learn) well-being, which refers to students’ Year 11 proficiency in using academic knowledge and soft skills to be lifelong Year 12 learners, effective workers and engaged citizens, is also looked into. Year 13 Both these are ensured through programmes such as: • The mindfulness programme • Religious observances • Clubs/afternoon activities 76

Students 580 students, of ages ranging from 13 to 20 years, engaged in the Levels of adolescence well-being study by answering the questionnaire anonymously. The results No. indicated relatively high levels of well-being with an average 4 score for each characteristic closer to three or well above three 3 (maximum score being four). 2 1 Number of participants by age 0 No. 480 It was heartening to see that our students showed the highest scores across connectedness where friendships and relationships 360 were indicated. The overall score of well-being was closer to a score of 3.5. 240 120 0 Years 13-15 Year 15-17 Year 18-20 Engagement Perseverance Optimism Connectedness Happiness Survey on well-being results by question % 100 80 60 The Gateway experience 40 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Almost never Sometimes Often Very often Almost always 1. When something good happens to me, I have people who I like to 11. I get so involved in activities that I forget about everything else Gateway College share the good news with 12. When I am learning something new, I lose track of Annual Review 2020 2. I finish whatever I begin how much time has passed 3. I am optimistic about my future 13. In uncertain times, I expect the best 4. I feel happy 14. There are people in my life who really care about me 5. When I do an activity, I enjoy it so much that I lose track of time 15. I think good things are going to happen to me 6. I have a lot of fun 16. I have friends that I really care about 7. I get completely absorbed in what I am doing 17. Once I make a plan to get something done, I stick to it 8. I love life 18. I believe that things will work out, no matter how difficult they seem 9. I keep at my schoolwork until I am done with it 19. I am a hard worker 10. When I have a problem, I have someone who will be there for me 20. I am a cheerful person 77

Events January February March April May June • Law Day • National Day Assembly • Foundation and • Virtual • Virtual Vesak • Virtual VSAK • History Day • Interhouse Drama Competition KS1 Sports Day Avurudu • Secondary Programme • French Day • ISAC Assembly GCC • Football • International Schools Athletics Virtual JSM • Virtual • Online Sports Fieldtrips Big Match Championship – ISAC • Maths Day • History BEE and Bowl Programme • Online Parents' • Digital Art Competition Meetings • Annual Netball Encounter with • Virtual VSAK Musaeus College Programme • Annual Sil Programme • Online Parents' • Digital Art Competition • Virtual • Virtual Vesak Meetings Avurudu • International Schools Athletics • Secondary • Virtual Poson GCK Championship – ISAC Virtual JSM Bakthi Gee • National Day Assembly • Online Sports Programme • Annual Netball Encounter with Musaeus College (Exhibition match played against Bishops College) • Interhouse • Sinhala Day • Anniversary Fair • Virtual • Virtual Vesak • Virtual VSAK Drama Avurudu Programme Competition • Digital Art Competition • Foundation and • Secondary Key Stage 1 Virtual JSM • Key Stage 1 The Gateway experience • Inter House Chess Tournament Sports Meet Virtual Fieldtrip GCD GCN • Online Sports • International Schools Athletics • Katana Division Programme • Online Parents' Championship – ISAC Schools Athletics Meetings Meet • Gampaha District Karate • Virtual Poson Championship 2020 Bakthi Gee • Annual Netball Encounter • National Day Assembly • Football – • National Day Assembly • Virtual • Virtual Vesak • Virtual VSAK Big Match Avurudu Programme • Maths Day • Welcome • Interhouse Quiz Assembly – Year 7 • Online Parents' competition • History Bee and Bowl Meetings • Secondary • History Day • Digital Art Competition Virtual JSM • Drama Production • Online Sports Programme • International Schools Athletics Championship – ISAC • Annual Netball Encounter with Musaeus College • Funday • National Day Assembly • Activity Days • Virtual • Virtual Vesak • Online Parents' “Take a Break”. Meetings Gateway College • GCR Sports Meet F and KS1 F + KS1 + KS2 Avurudu • Welcome Annual Review 2020 Assembly – Year 7 • Digital Art Competition GCR • Secondary • International Schools Athletics Virtual JSM Championship – ISAC • Online Sports • Annual Netball Encounter with Programme Musaeus College 78

Students July August September October November December • Primary Virtual JSM • Year 13 Graduation • Kids Athletics Meet • Founder’s Day • Virtual Sports • Virtual • Launch of Founder’s Programme – Christmas Carols • “Distanced • Interhouse Boot Camp Award Online Shakespeare” Swimming meet Challenge Level 1 • Virtual Sports Online Competition Programme – (Boot Camp Challenge • Introduction of the Level 2) Founder’s Award and Logbook • Griffins Online Chess Distribution Championship • Primary Virtual JSM • Year 13 Graduation • Kids Athletics Meet • Founder’s Day • Virtual Sports • Virtual Celebrations Programme – Christmas Carols • Launch of Founder’s • Introduction of the • Interhouse Boot Camp Award Online Founder’s Award Swimming meet • Gilanpasa Challenge Level 1 • Virtual Sports and Logbook Pooja at the Programme – Distribution Asgiriya Maha (Boot Camp Challenge Pirivena Level 2) • “Distanced Shakespeare” • Griffins Online Chess Online Competition Championship • Primary Virtual JSM • Year 13 Graduation • Interhouse • Founder’s Day • Virtual trip to • Virtual Swimming Dinosaur Park Christmas Carols • Launch of Founder’s • Introduction of the Meet 2020 • Virtual trip to the India – Year 4 Award Online Founder’s Award Cairo Museum – • Virtual Sports and Logbook • Gampaha Year 2 • Virtual Sports Programme Distribution District Programme (Boot Camp Challenge 2) Athletics (Boot Camp Meet 2020 Challenge 1) • Griffins Online Chess The Gateway experience Championship • Primary Virtual JSM • Year 13 Graduation • Interhouse • Founder’s Day • Virtual Sports • Virtual Swimming Meet Programme Christmas Carols • Launch of Founder’s • Introduction of the (Boot Camp Award Online Founder’s Award • Athletics Challenge 1) • Griffins Online Chess and Logbook Selections Meet Championship Distribution • Virtual Book Review • Virtual Sports Presentations Programme (Year 7 and 8) (Boot Camp Challenge 2) • Primary Virtual JSM • Virtual Cultural • Founder's Day • Virtual Sports • Virtual Exchange with and Teachers’ Programme Christmas Carols Maihara High School Day (Boot Camp Gateway College in Japan Challenge 1) • Griffins Online Chess Annual Review 2020 Championship 79

The Gateway experience TeacTheres achers Gateway College Our teachers are not only Annual Review 2020 qualified and experienced in their subject matter, but are seekers of knowledge to guide young impressionable minds to become achievers of the future. 80

Nurturing education Gateway is about nurturing education. Our qualified, experienced, Over 131 teachers have completed 10 years of service and almost and dedicated teachers are at the core of what we do at Gateway. half of our teachers have been with us for more than 5 years, We are proud of the Gateway family and the educational culture signifying our high retention rate. These senior teachers mentor our we uphold. By applying and adopting the latest teaching practices, new recruits and induct them into the Gateway culture and ethos. our teachers are equipped to support the unique needs and learning style of each child in their care. We work hard to attract With schools being mostly online, almost all our teachers have and retain those with a passion for education. Our unique model been working without leave. Even during previous years, our for education is derived from our ethos, and has seen the school attendance rates have been impressive with over 93% of our reach new heights. teachers having an attendance rate of over 90%. The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 81

Teachers Statistics Total GC – Colombo GC – Kandy GC – Negombo Duration of Employment Below Over Below Over Below Over Below Over 5 years 10 years 5 years 10 years 5 years 10 years 5 years 10 years 51.12% 24.44% 44.51% 31.87% 39.85% 36.09% 57.43% 13.86% Between 5 to 10 years Between 5 to 10 years Between 5 to 10 years Between 5 to 10 years 24.44% 23.63% 24.06% 28.71% Gender 449 87 156 26 109 24 81 20 Number of Teachers The Gateway experience Student: 10:1 11:1 10:1 9:1 Teacher Ratio E A E A E A E A 7.9% 2.8% 9.3% 4.9% 6.8% 0.8% 8.9% 3.0% Qualifications B B B B 34.0% 30.8% 35.3% 32.7% Gateway College D C D C D C D C Annual Review 2020 37.9% 17.4% 33.0% 22.0% 44.4% 12.8% 35.6% 19.8% A – Government Trained Teachers B – Graduate C – Postgraduate D – Diploma – Academic E – Diploma – Sports 82

Teachers GC – Dehiwala GC – Ratmalana Below Over Over 5 years 10 years 10 years 63.92% 8.25% 13.04% Between 5 to 10 years Below 27.84% 5 years 86.96% 81 16 22 1 9:1 7:1 The Gateway experience E A B 8.2% 2.1% 30.4% D B D Gateway College 34.0% 39.2% 69.6% Annual Review 2020 C 16.5% 83

Empathetic care and emotional well-being The Gateway experience A deep sense of affection and mutual respect are shared among Gateway recognises that the responsibility of pastoral care falls students and teachers. The notion of a loving school environment on the entire school community. To that extent, our schools have was propagated by our Founder, Mr R I T Alles, who took very specific policies that consider all aspects of pastoral care with an seriously the concept of in loco parentis. Teachers are effectively approach that is positive, encouraging, constructive, and inclusive. secondary parents to their students, and next to parents and The Child Safeguarding Policy highlights the responsibility of all caregivers, are the most important people in a child’s life and staff towards the safety and well-being of students at all times. development. Through their love and support, teachers leave Keeping children safe from harm is of paramount importance to their legacy in the world equipping students with the tools to lead every member of the school community. happy and productive lives. True to the vision of our founder, every teacher at Gateway College pledges to be firm, friendly, Qualified counsellors are available in every school and equipped and fair to students. to deal with the struggles faced by students. Moreover, the entire school community acts as a support group to help each other cope Pastoral care with difficult situations – be they academic, vocational, social, emotional, or behavioural. At Gateway, we work to ensure that An integral component of life and learning at Gateway, pastoral students with physical, psychological, or social struggles are able care is part of our educational culture. All aspects of how we to share their stress, receive necessary support, and thrive in an approach our students are considered – the way we treat them, environment conducive to their development. talk to them, interact with them, and teach them – all contribute to the quality of our pastoral care. The faculty at Gateway are Special education needs deeply involved in supporting the pastoral care programme – from the school Principal, who ensures that learning opportunities Identifying the needs of all children and meeting them is made are optimised for every student, to academic staff – including possible through support for Special Education Needs (SEN). teachers, year heads, sectional heads, department heads, assistant SEN and access arrangements procedures help ensure protocol principals, and deputy principals, who collaborate with each other. is followed in all applicable instances where Primary and Teachers remain alert to changes in mood, behaviour, and attitudes Secondary students have an identifiable need. This applies to of students, which may stem from bigger problems, and are trained certain reasonable adjustments that can be made in teaching, to identify the potential of gifted children and spot the need for the classroom environment, and examination procedures. Every special support in the case of academically challenged students. school has a SENCO (Special Education Needs Counsellor) in the secondary and a special needs specialist in the primary who support students with SEN. Students who are identified as those needing a fair amount of assistance are directed to Gateway Achievers, our special education needs school. Gateway College Annual Review 2020 84

The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 Teachers 85

Constant development The Gateway experience Our teachers regularly attend formal and informal educational teachers for their lessons so that good practices can be observed, courses for continuous learning and to develop their subject shared and improved on. Gateway has developed a culture that Gateway College and non-subject competencies. Through Gateway’s support for encourages continuous learning where teachers have come to Annual Review 2020 further studies, an increasing number of teachers are completing appreciate these methods and look forward to new learning postgraduate teaching and subject-specific qualifications. opportunities. Our teachers can avail themselves of development workshops and Just over the last five months of this year, when school was in training sessions throughout the year that cover subject-specific session with either synchronous, or asynchronous teaching and and generic topics, and can attend summer training programmes learning taking place, our heads have observed over 725 hours of overseas. Gateway also offers new teachers the opportunity to lessons, which averages to about two periods of lessons per teacher. obtain their Diploma in Teaching at the Gateway Graduate School, Over the same period, our teachers were observed by a peer on at a concessionary fee. average, for at least one period (40 minutes). This focus on the professional development of all members of staff, Foreign training we believe benefits all our students from Play Group to Advanced Level. With the ongoing experience of being a Microsoft Showcase Gateway provides the best possible training opportunities for School, the school aims to have all teachers reach the Microsoft our teachers, including foreign training and foreign educational Innovative Educator Expert (MIE Expert) status and use the tours. Over the years, an increasing number of teachers have been advanced technological tools that have been made available to the given this opportunity and are encouraged to attend these events schools. whenever possible. This year, Gateway set a record in having 100 of our With travel restrictions this year, many of our teachers were limited teachers obtain MIE Expert status, from a total of to continue their training through webinars. This year, our teachers 113 in Sri Lanka. attended many overseas webinars and conferences from the comfort of their homes. The teachers of Gateway College are aware of the changes that must take place when teaching online: changes from the point of Our Team Leader – Change Management, attended the BETT – UK planning a lesson, all the way to its execution. We believe that the conference in January, which is a global series of education shows innovative digital teaching methods that the Gateway teachers use marketing information technology in education. This conference has will prove to be great case studies to the entire teaching community been attended by the Gateway Management for the last 11 years. in Sri Lanka. Continuous Professional Development With the new hybrid model of teaching and learning in place, Gateway teachers are exposed to new pedagogies and technologies Gateway considers learning and teaching as a continuous pathway constantly, with the many online webinars available to them in educating and transforming children’s lives. Our teachers through Microsoft Education, as well as with the Team Leader do not stop with their initial educational qualifications, or prior Change Management conducting training programmes every teaching experience, instead, engaging in Continuous Professional Tuesday, for the different Key Stages, called Training Tuesdays. Development (CPD) throughout their careers. Teachers also share best practices with each other through micro teaching and lesson observations. With classes being online, a Education itself continuously evolves, and has been transformed new trend was set this year where the heads of schools, such as over the course of the past three decades by the digital revolution. the principals, deputy, and assistant principals, sectional heads Gateway stays abreast of these developments by encouraging and and department heads dropped into classes for lesson observations giving prominence to the CPD of staff. Research and study and to give productive feedback so that our teachers continuously of education systems and standards across the globe help us improve on their lesson delivery. Peers too, are invited by the discover new trends, better methodologies, and innovative approaches. Teachers are expected to log their training hours through a CPD monitoring system, which enables them and the school, to track progress. 86

Teachers CPD Hours Average CPD hours per Teacher Gateway College, Colombo Gateway College, Kandy 20 20 Gateway College, Negombo Gateway College, Dehiwala 15 21 Gateway College, Ratmalana 29 Compulsory Training Other Training (Total CPD hours) (Total CPD hours) Gateway College, 1,364 Gateway College, 2,229 The Gateway experience Colombo 939 Colombo 1,710 706 Gateway College, 775 Gateway College, 763 Kandy 211 Kandy 1,203 Gateway College, Gateway College, 451 Negombo Negombo Gateway College, Gateway College, Dehiwala Dehiwala Gateway College, Gateway College, Ratmalana Ratmalana International Forum for Teachers opportunities to network, exchange best practices, and gain an Gateway College in-depth understanding of the rapidly changing environments of Annual Review 2020 All Gateway College teachers attend the International Forum school education from a global perspective. for Teachers (IFT) organised by the Gateway Graduate School in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel, the University of London, the Annual workshop [Annual Joint Staff Meeting (JSM)] University of Nottingham, Malaysia, Macquarie University, and RMIT University. The IFT Conference is the first of its kind and A well-trained teaching staff has always been a priority for while Day 1 is open to Gateway teachers, Day 2 is open to all Gateway. Over the years, Gateway teachers have had the teachers of state, private, and international schools in Sri Lanka opportunity of being trained by many local and international and regional countries. Both days carry a similar programme. experts on various aspects. However, the IFT was not held in 2020 given the global pandemic and travel restrictions. The annual staff workshop of the Gateway schools, has been held every year from inception and was an unbroken tradition IFT’s mission is to assist in developing world-class teachers over the last 23 years. Unfortunately, in 2020 the JSM could through global partnerships, collaboration, and dialogue. not be held in the traditional manner due to restrictions on The annual conference of the IFT offers delegates the travel and gatherings, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was conducted online. 87

Teachers The annual workshop combined professional development with as requiring further inquiry; meetings of different sections and collaborative learning in a relaxed atmosphere. The event brings departments to discuss plans for the coming year, schemes of together all our teachers from the five schools as well as the work, assessments and lessons, and an evening session of fun lecturers from the Gateway Graduate Schools in Colombo and and entertainment in the form of a dinner dance and various Kandy, and the teachers of Gateway Achievers. 2019 saw the entertainment items presented by the teachers. largest gathering yet, of over 520 staff members. Despite growing numbers, this tradition will continue in the coming years as part of The theme for the academic year is unveiled at the annual the vision of our Founder, Mr R I T Alles, who firmly believed that workshop by the Chairman. the sense of family is key to the success of the Organisation. This year, despite being unable to travel to a hotel for the The workshop took on a new format from 2018, where it was residential JSMs, our teachers held the planning portion divided into three sessions. A research symposium, where of the workshop through online meetings on Microsoft Teams. teachers presented research studies on topics they have identified These sessions were very productive and collaborative. Number of attendees No. 200 160 120 80 40 0 Colombo Kandy Negombo Dehiwala Ratmalana GGS Achievers The Gateway experience 2017 2018 2019 Teacher-led research both this year’s and next year’s research and the winners will be recognised at the Awards Day of 2021. Teachers present their research papers at the annual Joint Staff Meeting (JSM). It also creates opportunities for teacher- Gateway also recognises members of staff who have completed led research, which equips staff with the essential knowledge 10 years of service at the Awards Day. As the event did not take required to design their own classroom, or school-based research place this year, these awards too, will be presented in 2021. projects. Teachers gather data and compile a literature review on a particular area of educational research relating to Gateway schools. Teachers recognised for 20 years of service Gateway College – Colombo The Kamini Mendis Research Award is named in honour of Gateway College Professor Kamini Mendis, a former international civil servant and Ms Savithri George Ms Dinali Wijesinghe Annual Review 2020 internationally acclaimed health expert who served in the World Health Organisation, Geneva. She is currently functioning as an independent consultant. The award is presented biennially for the best teacher-led research from the five Gateway Schools, by the Chairman Dr Harsha Alles, in honour of his teacher, Prof Kamini Mendis, with a final winner chosen from among all schools. This year, the research was not presented as the annual workshop was not held in its usual form. The next year’s JSM will showcase 88

Teachers Gateway College – Kandy Education and included eight technical sessions. Nipuni’s research paper titled “Investigation on changing the interval time and its Ms Sharaz Cuncheer Ms Sonia Coomasaru impact on student hunger and concentration levels in classroom activities” was selected from over 60 research presentations by Teachers recognised for 10 years of service teachers across the country. Nipuni is a Science and BTEC teacher Gateway College – Colombo for Key Stages 3 and 4, and is also an alumna of Gateway College and was the Deputy Head Girl in 2007. Mrs Vinita Shenoy • Ms Yasodha Hettiarachchi The Gateway experience Principal • Ms Nilanthi Dolapihila International recognition • Ms Mihiree Hettiarachchi • Ms Wathsala Gunawardana Our teachers are now being recognised by awarding bodies such as • Mr Sajith Liyanage Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge for the excellent work that they • Ms Diloka Maddage do. Last year four teachers were selected as Edexcel International Examiners for the summer exam series in 2019. There were no Gateway College – Negombo markers set for this year due to predicted grades given to students • Mr Ian Jayasinghe due to the pandemic. Two of our teachers were also selected to review textbooks by Pearson Edexcel last year. Gateway College – Dehiwala This year too, two of our teachers were consulted by Pearson • Ms Kamalini Ratwatte • Ms Gayathirie Lalithakumar Edexcel and Cambridge University Press to review the new textbooks and teacher resources. • Ms Surangi Coomarawela Manjari Tennakoon Gateway teacher wins Research Award at Curriculum Development Coordinator National Education Research Conference Manjari reviewed the Global Perspectives Learner’s Skills Book and the Teacher's Resource - Stage 4 and Stage 5, published by the Cambridge University Press. * Manjari also Co-authored the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) English Language A Student Book, which was published in January 2017. She also Co-authored the Online Teacher Resource Pack for Edexcel International A Level English Literature, which was made available on ActiveLearn in 2019. Nipuni Marasinghe Priyanthie Jayawardena Gateway College Annual Review 2020 Our Secondary Teacher, Nipuni Marasinghe, won the Research Priyanthie reviewed the IGCSE (9-1) Accounting Text book, Award at the National Education Research Conference, organised IAL AS Accounting text book and IAL A2 Accounting text book, 89 by the Dharmaraja Education Research Conference (DERC). published by Pearson, Edexcel. The conference was graced by Hon (Prof) G L Peiris, Minister of

The Gateway experience InnoIvatnionnovation Gateway College In the new normal of the Annual Review 2020 post-COVID world, we have combined the latest innovations in teaching and technology to give our students the best opportunities in all areas of development. 90

Futuristic technology Gateway has invested in ICT infrastructure that melds investments with Microsoft. Mr Abeywardena noted that during technology with the classroom environment, catering to students the COVID school closures Gateway was equipped with the of all learning styles. All Gateway schools boast infrastructure requisite digital online platforms to ensure teaching and learning that includes state-of-the-art computer labs, educational software, continued uninterrupted and also stated that Gateway’s rapid interactive whiteboards, and Wi-Fi access. Gateway schools are transition from physical to virtual classrooms, was an interesting fully Wi-Fi-enabled with extensive bandwidth provided through case study for Microsoft. dedicated, centrally filtered leased lines. Gateway’s own school-based management system, School Online (SOL), plays a Despite school closures Gateway continued to innovate ways of major role in its administrative and academic efficiency. providing holistic education to its students. These measures are described in detail in the COVID-19 Response Segment. Primary and Secondary sections in our schools maintain modern computer labs and multimedia rooms, and are equipped with Hundred MIE Experts tablet PCs. Teachers stay in touch with the latest technology and technology applications to enhance classroom learning experiences. Led by our Team Leader – Change Management, who is an MIE Fellow, Gateway set a record this year when Microsoft Education Improved communication methods for parents awarded 100 of our teachers the prestigious title of Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for 2020/21. Each year, Microsoft To ensure all parents are contacted in a timely manner, a selects Innovative Educator Experts to be part of an exclusive new emailing system was built into our Student Information global community, paving the way to share ideas, try new Management System, SOL. We moved from using a third-party approaches, and learn from each other. These educators join some emailing system to developing our own email dispatch module. of the most amazing educators who empower students of today, to create the world of tomorrow. We also invested in Microsoft Office 365 A5 licensing for the Management, Heads of schools and the Team Leaders as it provides Education for tomorrow, has always been a key focus of Gateway The Gateway experience additional features that support broadcasting, intensive security College and the school has been at the forefront of ushering best management and additional analytics tools through Power BI. practices in education both locally and internationally. Gateway shares Microsoft’s belief that technology alone cannot build 21st Despite schools being closed, Gateway made sure that parents century skills for students. It is an accelerator, but the power were always kept informed through parents' meetings held in of change lies with educators. That is why Gateway College several sessions. The meetings were held as “live broadcasts”. invests heavily in the professional development of its educators. We also have an Android App for communicating with parents Every teacher is trained in Microsoft tools and introduced to the and are in the process of deploying its Apple counterpart soon. Microsoft Educator Community. Having all 536 teachers engaged in online delivery, Gateway has achieved a remarkable feat with Microsoft Showcase School and the school now having one MIE Fellow, 100 MIE Experts and the Microsoft Centre for Excellence rest as MIEs. Gateway College is the only Microsoft Showcase School in Microsoft has recognised these educators to be MIE Experts Gateway College Sri Lanka for the 3rd consecutive year, and was one among because they are self-driven, passionate about their work, have Annual Review 2020 only 325 in the world, in 2020. true collaborative spirit, and strive to inspire students with out-of-the-box thinking in technology education. As agents Gateway College, having proved that “school” is not merely a of change, they have achieved excellence in education, using building but rather an environment of learning, and being in the technology and social media. Gateway facilitates these passionate forefront of technology in education, was also recognised teachers by providing futuristic technology and ICT infrastructure as a Centre of Excellence by Microsoft Sri Lanka. On bestowing that melds technology with the classroom environment, catering to the title, Hasitha Abeywardena, Country Manager, Microsoft students of all learning styles. Sri Lanka/Maldives stated that Gateway is well equipped to transition to a remote learning environment, due to considerable The Team Leader Change Management came up with an innovative strategy to ensure that teachers are kept abreast with the latest technology and pedagogical practices by conducting training sessions every Tuesday, called Training Tuesdays. She was also invited to speak at two Global Forums by Microsoft and share the best practices of Gateway College. 91

Innovation Gateway MIE Experts 1 27. Gayathri Senarathne 64. Ravindi Jayasinghe 4 28. Hasintha Thilakarathne 65. Rebecca Fonseka 2017 12 29. Hiroshi Mendis 66. Rohana Perera 2018 100 30. Inoka Amunupura 67. Roshini Perera 2019 31. Ishani Jayakody 68. Rovini Rathnayake 2020 32. Isuri Amanda Alwis 69. Rukshi De Silva 33. Izzvee Silmy 70. Ruvini Ekanayake The Gateway experience Gateway MIE Experts 34. Kalanie Anupama 71. Salani Kumaraperu 35. Kanishka Amarasinghe 72. Samantha Gamage Gateway College 1. Ajantha Vijayananthan 36. Kanthi Ekanayake 73. Samitha Leelaratne Annual Review 2020 2. Angelin Jesudasan 37. Kanzul Firdous 74. Sanjeevika Nandasinghe 3. Anuradha Karunarathne 38. Lakmini Ambepitiya 75. Sanuththara Upulananda 4. Anuradha Kodithuwakku 39. Loshanthi Damunupola 76. Sepalika Kularatne 5. Anushki Fernando 40. Malka Delgoda 77. Shashika Bulumulla 6. Ashra Shibly 41. Manjari Tennakoon 78. Shihama Hanifa 7. Awanthi Jayasundera 42. Mathanki Pulendran 79. Sithara Perera 8. Chalani Pathirana 43. Mihiree Hettiaratchi 80. Sudhira Rupasinghe 9. Charminstar Wijeratne 44. Miriam David 81. Sugandhi De Alwis 10. Chathurika Jayasundara 45. Nadeera Kumarasinghe 82. Sumudunie Kariyawasam 11. Dayangi Wijenayake 46. Nadika Jayathilaka 83. Surangi Coomarawela 12. Dayathri Perera 47. Nathasha Jayawardene 84. Surani Maithripala 13. Deshani Waidyalankara 48. Nayanthri Halangoda 85. Sutharsany Handy 14. Dilini Premachandre 49. Nilanka Ganepola 86. Tharshini Sivagurunathan 15. Dilinika Vithanage 50. Niluka Dasanayaka 87. Thusharika Perera 16. Dilki Imaduwavithanage 51. Nipuni Marasinghe 88. Thusharika Thilakaratne 17. Dilrukshi Foster 52. Nisanka Karunathilake 89. Udani Rangedera 18. Dilshan Senaratne 53. Nisha Kaumadee 90. Ultra Widanapathirana 19. Dinosha Herath 54. Nishanthi Kalansuriya 91. Umara Ratnayake 20. Disna Hettiarachchi 55. Nishma Azeez 92. Ureshika Peiris 21. Dulani Fernando 56. Nusrath Bahaudeen 93. Uvindu Prathapasinghe 22. Dushani Perera 57. Pabasara Gamage 94. Venuri Fernando 23. Enoka Boyagane 58. Pabasara Wijekoon 95. Venuri Kurugama 24. Farwin Faizer 59. Pabasari Goonetilleke 96. Viloshini Dassanayake 25. Gayana Dharmasena 60. Piyumi Ruzeika Fairoz 97. Wathsala Gunawardana 26. Gayathri Samaranayake 61. Piyumi Sewwandi 98. Yasasvi Silva 62. Rasangika Kapugamage 99. Yogya White 63. Rasika Jayasinghearachchi 100. Zahedi Samsudeen 92

Innovation ClassDojo for Foundation and Key Stage 1 The teacher appraisal system is a 180º performance appraisal The Gateway experience where the teacher is appraised by self and the management. The teachers of the Foundation and Key Stage 1 (2 ½ to 7+ years) Every teacher gets an opportunity to review his/her performance faced a new challenge as they had to adopt age appropriate, child and to discuss and formulate a plan for areas of development along friendly platforms to engage children, to be sustainable. After with the school Principal. The lesson observation system provides extensive research, ClassDojo was decided upon as a suitable an opportunity for teachers to learn from one another through platform, whereby even our youngest students have continued observational learning. The teachers are encouraged to invite their learning uninterrupted. Microsoft Teams was still used as a a peer to observe his/her lesson and provide feedback with medium for conducting online classes for this age group as well. a view to sharing best practices. The Management too is able to observe the teachers as part of evaluation and improvement. New Performance Management Portal (PMP) The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) module records qualifications obtained as well as value added to self through Gateway College has a strong culture of introspection and the training and research undertaken over the year. ability to improve efficiency and solve problems through innovative solutions that are designed and developed in-house. The best These open and transparent modules have undoubtedly example of this, is the multi-award winning school management contributed to further develop the trust between the Management system “School online”, which has been in operation for the past and teachers as more decisions are seen to be data driven. The 15 years and continues to evolve to be one of the best available in easy accessibility of PMP through any device has made it easy to the industry. use and attractive to all users, be they teachers or the management. All in all, PMP that is driven by Power App has empowered Being a Microsoft Showcase School that uses Microsoft Office Gateway College to reach further heights. 365 tools to address many technology related tasks, Gateway commenced exploring the Power App platform which is considered New policies to drive technology one of the most powerful tools available in the Office 365 suite. With a suite of apps, services and connectors, Power App is a This year, three new policies were added to the school policies. data platform that provides a rapid application development One, specifically for A-Level students, on bringing their own devices environment to build custom apps. Apps built using Power App to school. Being a Microsoft Showcase School, we wish to expand have a responsive design and can run seamlessly in browsers or on access to devices within school, where students are able to use them mobile devices (phones or tablets). actively in learning. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy sets out guidelines for the safe use of devices for learning purposes. The Performance Management Portal (PMP) was developed We hope to expand this policy to grades in Key Stage 4, soon. in-house by the Gateway team, who manages the multiple teacher performance recording systems in one convenient portal. The Policies applicable to platforms used for hybrid learning were also Team Leader - Higher Education and Data Analytics along with introduced. These are the Microsoft Teams and Office 365 policy the Head of HR and Legal and the HR team spearheaded the and the ClassDojo policy. These policies define guidelines for the development of the PMP. Using Power App, PMP records the use of these platforms for teaching and learning. performance of teachers biannually with the teacher performance appraisal system, lesson observation system and the system to record continuous professional development. Gateway College Annual Review 2020 93

Innovation SLT recognizes Gateway College as an EdTech Specialist School The Gateway experience Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) signed a landmark agreement with the Strengthened connectivity and new learning tools Gateway College network to work alongside the group of schools using them as model schools in the use of technology in education. The bandwidth of the School Wi-Fi was increased tenfold in Under the new agreement, SLT has recognised the Gateway partnership with Sri Lanka Telecom. Colleges as EdTech Specialist Schools. As the exclusive internet service provider and the distributor of Wi-Fi within the schools, The school also invested in equipment, such as smart panels SLT will strive to usher in new technologies to the Gateway (a more advanced version of electronic whiteboards) and the latest Schools and engage with Gateway in joint research. computers, to drive the hybrid learning model. Gateway College Both SLT and Gateway believe that the power of change lies Annual Review 2020 with educators. Through this partnership, both organisations are keen to collaborate with organisations and professionals who are passionate about their work, have true collaborative spirit, and strive to inspire students with outside-the-box thinking in technology education. The agreement will support the good work of educators through the provision of futuristic technology and ICT infrastructure that melds technology with the classroom environment, catering to students of all learning styles. This partnership between the largest telecom provider and a leader in the Private Education sector in Sri Lanka is expected to result in the establishment of a modern school that will serve as a case study to many others and pave the way for setting standards. 94

Curricular dynamism At Gateway, we believe that schools should prepare students for STEM education The Gateway experience the unique challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. As such, we are continually developing and tuning our curricula in With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution and a new alignment with international developments, and global and local wave of globalisation, where technological breakthroughs are market needs. defining and disrupting boundaries of economy, state, and the world of work, students need to be adept at a host of new We believe in a dynamic education system that enables students technologies, to stay abreast. As such, Gateway’s model of holistic to achieve the best possible learning outcomes, coupled with skills learning, coupled with integrated and focused STEM education, applicable in the world at large. We do this by involving students sets us apart. in goal setting, encouraging collaborative action, introducing problem-solving and project-based learning, and fostering creative STEM education has been a part of Gateway’s science curriculum critical thinking. Changing the culture of education is an ongoing for over three years. STEM is the abbreviation for Science, process that involves students, teachers, and administrators. Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and encompasses a vast array of subjects that fall into each of these fields. New hybrid model of learning In partnership with Entecres Labs of India, who provide their With any adverse event in human history, the world experiences expertise, training, and equipment, Years 1 to 8 students have huge changes, and the education industry is no different. Many the opportunity of receiving at least 10 STEM kits per year. education giants are taking note of these developments and are Experiments, observations, and the construction of models and coming up with new strategies and research. prototypes all serve to enhance and infuse excitement into their learning and grasping of fundamental concepts. Living true to the school’s vision and mission statements, as well as this year’s theme, “Braving the Present, Rising to the Future,” Even during the pandemic Gateway made sure STEM kits were Gateway College moved to a hybrid model that combines distance, available to students to continue lessons from home. remote, flipped, blended, synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning methods, to focus further on student-centred learning. Gateway College Annual Review 2020 The new hybrid model the school adapted focuses on quality learning, well-being and leveraging digital for connectedness. The model is based on the paper put out by Microsoft and NPDL titled “Education Reimagined: The Future of Learning.” Within a hybrid model, learning centres on personal relationships. It uses facetoface, and online platforms like Microsoft Teams, to facilitate meaningful connections between students and ensures synchronous time is used for the best possible purposes. It focuses on authentic, relevant learning that provides students with voice, choice, and agency. It incorporates peer tutoring, student self-assessment, and collaboration among instructors and students to design and carry out the learning experience. Five key areas incorporate this teaching and learning strategy: Learning environment, class community, lesson design, engagement and interactivity and assessment and feedback. With this transformative vision firmly in place, we are looking at student-centred and personalised learning that prepares students for a constantly changing workforce. The school will also include a few days of online schooling built into the school calendar, even in the future.   95

Innovation Robotics workshop In 2020, although the two compulsory lessons were held for all students from Years 3 to 8, we were unable to conduct the Robotics is an important component of STEM education and has afternoon club activities due to school closures. As this is a very been incorporated into Gateway’s curriculum for the past few hands-on programme, we hope to open up the sessions as soon as years. With students expressing enthusiasm in further training in physical schooling commences. Many have shown a keen interest robotics, it is now offered as a special afternoon club to students of to continue as well. The programme – which is offered in the Years 3 to 8, after school hours. Basic, Advanced, and Programming stages - provides students with the opportunity to build mechanical and programmable robots of various types, ranging from motion robots to football – playing robots or battle-bots. The Gateway experience Gateway College Annual Review 2020 96