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SAFA Community School Completion

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123

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 13:19

Construction happens literally overnight here !! Couldn't say if it will be 100 % complete but i'm sure it will be completed enough to function ... This is the biggest annoyance about these new schools. Yes, they'll be "complete" in terms of being able to open and function as a school. However, with the undoubtedly high fees you are paying at these schools, don't you want more than "completed enough to function."? I walked into a school in September that had just opened and it was a joke. Safety rails across an elevated walkway and stairs in the parking lot took weeks (if not months) to put in. All the while kids/parents were allowed to walk on it. Had one tripped and fallen, there would definitely be a trip to the hospital. Cigarette butts littered across the campus landscaping (including in the playground areas) by construction workers because it is still a construction site and they can't control what the workers do after hours when they are working and kids aren't on campus(?!?!?!?). Unpaved driveways that may not be "their" responsibility because it's on public land, but for goodness sake level out the potholes with some gravel or sand in the meantime so the cars aren't dipping and scraping every day. Classroom materials and equipment that hadn't arrived yet. And this was a school with a good reputation and part of a big education group with several good schools under their umbrella. Not saying all schools here are like that, but when if you are going to open, do it properly!

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 05:58

7th September for our schools.

Doubting Thomas

2298

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 22:09

I can reassure parents that Safa Community School is 27 days AHEAD of schedule at the moment and there's an awful lot on the inside of the buildings that you can't see from the road. We open on the 7th September and have an Open Day for new students on the 4th September. There are still places available from FS1 to Year 4 and Year 7 & 8. Why is it opening later ? I thought the new 31st August was for all schools...

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 21:06

Thanks Mustang172. Do you have any information on the fees? Can't find on the website. Or should I just give a ring tomorrow? Was discussing schools and fees with DH today and Safa Community was one of our options.

34

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 20:58

I can reassure parents that Safa Community School is 27 days AHEAD of schedule at the moment and there's an awful lot on the inside of the buildings that you can't see from the road. We open on the 7th September and have an Open Day for new students on the 4th September. There are still places available from FS1 to Year 4 and Year 7 & 8.

275

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 23:02

I know my boys' nursery (Kid's Cottage) is running a summer camp from 29th June till mid August and you can choose how many days (min of 3) and how many weeks (min 1) might be worth calling and asking anyway if you were looking for term time. They follow a structured day (even during holiday camps) and very interactive but they also let kids be kids, which I love. Most nurseries will say you need to pay the medical fee and registration fee to join during term time but at same time they have the power to be flexible, can't hurt to ask.

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 22:11

I'm obviously biased as I've chosen Safa, and I don't have experience of DBF but personally from your circumstances I would choose Safa purely because I wouldn't want to have to relocate my child again after just one year. I've heard so many great things from the parents of the sister school Safa Private School, and apparently the head is moving to be head of the Safa Community School. Facilities look like they are going to be good with their huge pool and pitch, sports hall etc. In terms of location AR is great but don't feel restricted to that area as you can also go elsewhere, I'm in umm suqeim, I did a trial run to the school location and was less than 15mins as umm suqeim road is just straight, no traffic lights. I know it might vary a bit depending on time of day. It won't be too far from springs either if you had your sights set on living there. Hi Nayls85, We have visited SAFA school today and decided not to take the offer, we personally don't feel as comfortable as DBF school. Although we didn't like the idea of relocating our daughter to another school hopefully she will transfer to the new DBF primary school in the smooth transition. While we are waiting for our residence visa and etc sorted, I am looking for a nursery place where they can take on a student for a couple weeks. My daughter started to think about her friends at nursery in the UK and am running out of activities to entertain her. Don't want to take her to shopping mall for indoor soft play everyday and she needs to interact with other children with a proper structure/routine. Any advise please? Regards

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 16:52

Thanks again Nayls85 and plum2, As an amateur parent for the big school I am a bit nervous of how to select school for our child, we came from a small village and my daughter supposed to go to our village school with only one class room 25-30children. I think SAFA will initially have 2 classes per year and 18-20 children so was not too big. So hopefully she doesn't surrounded by construction site during her time. Are you any concern about that Nayls85? I will see if I can arrange a visit to the school sometime next week ad Monday is school holiday. If we select SAFA hopefully my daughter will get to know your child as they will be both in FS2. Many thanks Jeddy

275

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 16:13

I'm obviously biased as I've chosen Safa, and I don't have experience of DBF but personally from your circumstances I would choose Safa purely because I wouldn't want to have to relocate my child again after just one year. I've heard so many great things from the parents of the sister school Safa Private School, and apparently the head is moving to be head of the Safa Community School. Facilities look like they are going to be good with their huge pool and pitch, sports hall etc. In terms of location AR is great but don't feel restricted to that area as you can also go elsewhere, I'm in umm suqeim, I did a trial run to the school location and was less than 15mins as umm suqeim road is just straight, no traffic lights. I know it might vary a bit depending on time of day. It won't be too far from springs either if you had your sights set on living there.

1913

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 15:15

As they are both new schools I would pick Safa as then you will not be having to move her again (and be searching for school places) in a years time. AR is a lovely community to live in.

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 14:02

Hi My son is due to start FS2 in September and I feel confident that it will be done. They told me that they expect it to be completed in time for first week of September and might only be a couple of days later start as they need to get the initial inspection by the KHDA done. They also said the construction company faces a large fine if not completed in time, so it is in everyone's interests, and in the unlikely event that it isn't completed, they do have a contingency plan that means your children will still start school no matter what. They were really friendly and very determined to put me at ease so I don't think they were trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I therefore haven't registered him in another school as we already paid 4000 non refundable deposit and I don't want to lose that. Hope this helps. Hi Nayls85, Thank you again for reassuring, we have been to the DBF school for my daughter assessment today and has been offered the place. By listening to the school principal described the school it's made me feel so nice that our daughter will settle in the school easily however this school only have FS1 and FS2 classes which means we will have to move our daughter again next September. I am still in the limbo which one to choose. How do you feel about the school facilities, classes and environmentally ? If we choose DBF then we will be looking to live in Springs area but if we choose SAFA community we will be looking at AR area. I have a dateline to pay for placement security fee until next Thursday so just need some inputs before making decision. Many thanks Jeddy

275

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 11:54

Hi My son is due to start FS2 in September and I feel confident that it will be done. They told me that they expect it to be completed in time for first week of September and might only be a couple of days later start as they need to get the initial inspection by the KHDA done. They also said the construction company faces a large fine if not completed in time, so it is in everyone's interests, and in the unlikely event that it isn't completed, they do have a contingency plan that means your children will still start school no matter what. They were really friendly and very determined to put me at ease so I don't think they were trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I therefore haven't registered him in another school as we already paid 4000 non refundable deposit and I don't want to lose that. Hope this helps.

277

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 07:00

I drive past this school every day, the new Kings too. I do understand how buildings go up so fast but I would be really surprised if Safa and Kings are finished completely before Sept 15. I think they will complete a small part and work on the rest of it. That would not put me off applying for one of those schools however, if your looking at the long term a few months of construction is not a major issue.

Doubting Thomas

2298

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 22:50

Construction happens literally overnight here !! Couldn't say if it will be 100 % complete but i'm sure it will be completed enough to function ...

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 22:44

Dear Ladies, What are your views on whether the SAFA community school will be completed on time for this September 2014 academic? We have a school place offered for our daughter but I have read some of the forum saying they might not be complete on time. Should we try other schools as well as an option but our other school is DBF which also under construction. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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