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Decent schools close to Internet City

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 05:09

I am tearing my hair out and fit to murder!

I thought I had schools sorted, then my (not so) DH went on a visit to Dubai. He arrived home last night and has cast the pack of cards into the air again. Apparently "everything is a lot further away over there than it looks on google maps". *sigh* He is not happy with having to travel 20+ mins to and from work in Internet City or any of us having to drive regularly down SZ Road.

We were planning on living close to whatever school we got into since social life and extra-curricular activities would probably be centred around school.

[b]Can anyone give me some leads on decent IB or British Curriculum Primary Schools that are relatively close to Internet City? [/b]No American curriculum please as it will be too difficult to slot the kids back into their Australian School. The obvious stand-out one is [b]Dubai International Academy[/b] but from what I've read, that is not a very satisfactory school.

Honestly, I feel like screaming. Why is it so hard to please everyone? And while I'm at it, why do they swing in after a couple of weeks away and throw the whole house into chaos?

Thanks for listening...

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Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 17:05

Oh, that's not right, is it. The less experienced teachers really should have a mentor, I think. And some schools simply avoid conflict - be it with parents or teachers. There are a couple of teachers at our current school who really should be retired. It has gotten to the point where many parents have written letters to the Principal asking that their kids never be placed with those teachers. But still nothing happens... I'm pleased to hear he's doing so much better now.

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 16:04

It was a GEM's school, people are often very happy with it, and to be fair it often comes down to the child, but his teacher was really inexperienced, no idea, and very little support/guidance for her from within the school....though I suspect that part of the problem may have been that she "knew best".....thing is school was not interested in sorting it.

Buy me a Pony36483

687

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EW GURU

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 15:18

My DS goes to raffles west campus. Raffles gets a hard time on this board, but to be honest comparing it to a school he went too that is quite highly regarded, the quality of teaching staff is far better. Any hints about which school he was at beforehand? LOL Starfish: To me that sounds do-able. 15 mins to the Marina from VH is great! Personally, I don't mind a little commute. It's a good chance to debrief with the kids about their day. <em>edited by Buy me a Pony on 07/02/2011</em>

436

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:45

My DS goes to raffles west campus. Raffles gets a hard time on this board, but to be honest comparing it to a school he went too that is quite highly regarded, the quality of teaching staff is far better. Where they let themselves down is on the organisation front, and communication with parents. Having said that DS's teacher is really really good, english is not her mother tongue however, so she does speak with an accent, but that does not bother me....what I am concerned about is the quality of education DS gets in the classroom, and that is fantastic.

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 12:04

Hi BmP, As all ladies below said already, a commute of 20 mins is really not much here in Dubai. We live in Victory Heights DD goes to The Children's Garden in Green Community, DH works in the Marina and I work in Internet City. DH drives roughly 15 mins to work I take DD to school and then continue straight to work. Trip to school down Dubai Bypass Road is 15 mins (even less to Greenfield) and from school to work an other 20 mins. Come live in Victory Heights if the boys get into Greenfields :) Good Luck to You :)

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 11:08

Haven't had time to pop back in and update, until now. I have spoken to Wellington International who have told me that they [i'>cannot take the boys in Term 3 of this year because they are not studying under a British Curriculum at the moment[/i'>! Apparently this is standard operating procedure. Strange, as I have not heard it from anyone else until now. Has anyone else heard of this rule? It seems we would have to wait for the September intake (and be in a long waiting list) along with every other man and his dog. Re Tally-ho's comment: Over the weekend, playing Devil's Advocate, I said to DH it may come to pass that we cannot find a school to take the boys in April. And if that were the case, I think we would seriously have to consider keeping them here in Australia with me until the new school year in September. He was apoplectic. Citywoman is right, families need to be kept together - boys need their fathers around - so as a long term solution separating ours is not viable. And even for 6 months, my DH baulked, but I want what's best for my kids. I know my personal limitations and I am not capable of home schooling them to the same standard they would get if they were in school. What to do... Off to investigate some of those other schools, I think.

1692

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 19:54

Why don't you consider staying in OZ and your DH working in Dubai? Loads of parents are doing this and planning to with the education system being so hit and miss in Dubai and the expense of living here. I can school my children in a top uk school for less than i could in Dubai. Really, I thought the UK was still much more expensive than here.... we were paying just over £3k a term for a Reception place.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 18:51

well with that being said, for the average joe blow with "no connections or bargaining power" much like myself, we have to sit it out and wait for our slot to become available. Nice if you've got those powers but like I said for the majority it is a clear cut wait your turn which as I said previously is very frustrating. For families moving to Dubai from other origins yes indeed it is easier for them to get a place straight off the bat if they've not yet formally been registered with the MOE/KHDA. For those that put our kids into schools then for one reason or another want to make the shift we sit on waiting lists for quite a substantial amount of time for certain schools and hope for the best. Surely no hope is given unless you have those connections or some kind of "bargaining power" and TBH it really annoys me to think that someone can push into the queue for whatever reason and bump the ones who have been diligently waiting for their time to come. Just giving my POV - that's all. Don't by any means, mean to be combative. SH

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:49

it is true that there are waiting lists. it is also true that schools make some spaces available first and foremost for overseas applicants and only after thise spots are filled do they take kids in who already live in dubai and who already are on the waiting lists. some people with connections and bargaining power also jump the queue ;-) someone else mentioned the same recently. that gives some hope surely?

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:21

citywoman, no disrespect but perseverance has nothing to do with it! Long waiting lists are a major factor here in Dubai and speaking from experience it can literally be YEARS before you get your child/ren into your specific choice of school. Very frustrating indeed! SH

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:13

perhaps, but with some perseverance everything is possible ;-)

Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:12

families need to be together. there are many good schools close to internet city that will take you no more than 20 minutes to reach such as kings, wellington, horizon, jebel ali. Getting into them however is another matter!

50

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:11

families need to be together. there are many good schools close to internet city that will take you no more than 20 minutes to reach such as kings, wellington, horizon, jebel ali.

648

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 17:06

Why don't you consider staying in OZ and your DH working in Dubai? Loads of parents are doing this and planning to with the education system being so hit and miss in Dubai and the expense of living here. I can school my children in a top uk school for less than i could in Dubai.

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 16:17

Sounds like DH has been a little spoilt if he is worried about a 20min commute..... you know anywhere you want to go in Dubai you are going to have to travel... 20mins is a dream... maybe give him a few days for reality to sink in. My DH works in Internet City, but we certainly didn't base our house search around that.... it was around the best school for our DD. So we live at The Villa (which to your DH will probably sound like a different planet to get too)... it takes me 15/20 mins to get DD to school and DH 25/30mins to get to office... trust me it very quickly becomes quite normal. Have you or are you not coming out to check out schools etc before you move? If you are able to I would certainly recommend it... Yes, he's been totally spoilt. He's been working from home for the last 5 years! I didn't intend to base our house or school search around where he works either. I am really disappointed to be honest. Right from the start I said we should plan to get the kids into the most suitable school for their needs and everything else would follow. It was the first piece of advice given here. Now I feel it's all topsy turvy and someone's changed the game plan. I am hoping to get out there by the end of February. He is back later in Feb, so I am hoping to join him in the second week of his visit then, primarily with the intention of touring the schools. That's interesting that you say that people don't socialise around school groups. I had been told otherwise but that person is in Abu Dhabi so maybe it's different there. It's a relief actually, as perhaps it means we can compromise by finding a house that is closer Internet City (eg in Emirates Hills or Al Barsha) and while not as close to the school, not too far away (hopefully Greenfields). Is that do-able? Meantime, I will check out this Gems Wellington School. Am assuming that is the same as Wellington International School???

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Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 11:57

20 minutes commute to schools is the average in Dubai. It is normal. You would have to make some compromizes somewhere..... No ones social life revolves around the school here...it is a very different environment in Dubai. Good luck! ;)

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 11:52

Regent International School - Greens Dubai International Academy - Emirate Hills Emirates International School - Meadows Gems Wellington - SZR Dubai British School - Springs Check them out on internet, ring see about places, search on here and there will be lots of complaints on all! LOL Regent would guess be closest with the overpass between greens/tecom or the Wellington one. Good Luck men can be ding dongs sometimes!

1692

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 09:39

Sounds like DH has been a little spoilt if he is worried about a 20min commute..... you know anywhere you want to go in Dubai you are going to have to travel... 20mins is a dream... maybe give him a few days for reality to sink in. My DH works in Internet City, but we certainly didn't base our house search around that.... it was around the best school for our DD. So we live at The Villa (which to your DH will probably sound like a different planet to get too)... it takes me 15/20 mins to get DD to school and DH 25/30mins to get to office... trust me it very quickly becomes quite normal. Have you or are you not coming out to check out schools etc before you move? If you are able to I would certainly recommend it...

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 08:50

oh and another point - you say that your social life etc will centre around school...well, don't know about anyone else but in our case i have found that because everyone lives so far away from school there is very little "social life" out of school hours...not like at home where we had after school playdates etc..the logisitcs of visiting other kids (and mums for that matter) are just too complicated. Maybe it's because i'm still new and these things do come eventually.. would be interested to hear other opinions ...

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 08:46

He's right - everything DOES seem further away...i was completely overwhelmed when i first got here. Easy for ppl who've been here a while to forget how daunting it all seems at first look. My own school run is 25 minutes if i leave on time - 5 minutes late and i'm stuck in traffic for another 15 minutes lol. I hated it at first and almost felt physically sick at the thought of doing it some days (and before 7 o'clock !!). But eventually the route drops into place and you get used to the barbaric early mornings and now 5 months later i don't mind it (never thought i'd say that tho!!). I think you need to cut DH a bit of slack - like i say, seeing these places in the flesh for the first time can be overwhelming and such a major move is stressful enough as it is..which ever school you choose is going to be a good drive away so try not to worry too much - it will all fall into place eventually !! Good luck.

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 08:32

Hi BMAP, Seriously 20 minutes is definately one of the better commutes here in Dubai. You will find that out only after you have lived here in Dubai. Your hubby's probably feeling a little anxious and a bit stressed trying to take everything on board right now. An international move is a massive venture and he's probably bogged down with that overwhelming feeling of just seeing Dubai in all it's glory for the first time of course if it was in fact his first time here. In all honesty, the best thing he can do is to make sure that you are living within decent proximity to the school you choose and then he needs to come to terms with the fact that he is better off doing the daily commutes opposed to you and the children. The schooling here in Dubai is not an easy one and we ALL have struggles with it for one reason or another. It is very common that a large proportion of Mother's or school droperoffers/pickerupers sit in their car and drive a good 20+ minutes to school so bearing in mind where you end up getting places for your Sons' you too may have to be a commuter. I remember posting a message to you on a previous thread quite a while ago when you first started coming on EW. I think that message was " sort the school stuff first", the rest will fall into place. This is the BEST advice I can offer you.......... It's stressful I know and it probably will be until you get on that plane and take a great big sigh of relief. When you get here and see for yourself and get a routine happening you will be at ease. GOODLUCK!!!!! SH

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 February 2011 - 05:21

How about living in Al Barsha and trying Wellingtom International School. There is a useful flyover to near the school and then an underpass to Internet City. SZR avoided!

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