kodibax

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 May 2014 - 13:09

Hi Chocofudge, I'm Australian and when we moved to the UAE we brought most of our furniture with us. Most of it was ok and some a little squashed and worse off. Remember it will be on a container ship for weeks! The ship containers come in certain sizes and you may want to get a quote to help make your decision. When we moved it was the same price to half fill a 20ft container, as it was to fill the container. Think about insurance as well. The next point to consider is Australia's very strict quarantine rules. No seeds, plants, dirt (wash trampolines, lawn mowers etc). Hardwood furniture or treated wooden items are usually ok. Here is a link about importing personal effects into Australia. http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/travel/moving-emigrating Here are links to two furniture shops in Australia. It may help you gauge $$$ http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/ http://www.nickscali.com.au/

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 23:26

Here is a link to some information the principal wrote on Expat Women a few months ago. [u'>[i'>A message from the school Principal about Nord Anglia School [/i'>[/u'> http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_schools_colleges_boarding_nord_anglia_international_school_dubai_11872.aspx

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 23:17

When the school grows to full capacity it will be 5 classes per grade. I believe the 2014/2015 school year will have 2 classes per grade, possibly more in the FS grades.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 21:16

My children will be attending Nord Anglia next year, I asked all the same questions and I'm trying my best to remember the exact answers. My children will be in year 2 and 4 and my answers relate to these grades. (if my memory is correct) Normal school hours 7:30 to 3pm. Maxium 20 per class. I was assured this will NOT increase. 3 or 4?? language lessons per week ( not including Arabic ) Not sure how long the lessons are. Their second newsletter will be published very soon and I think it will have a lot of information that will cover these questions.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 17:41

I have also recently found that flights can be more expensive from Dubai, than to Dubai. A month ago I purchased our annual Dubai - Syd flights through Expedia. Once booked I needed to pay a little extra to be able to select seats and for a credit card purchase, but the saving was significant. Our flights are through Qantas, with the out bound flight operated by Qantas and the inbound flight operated by Emirates. At the time of booking Emirates was quoting 21000AED (1 adult, 2 children Rtn) I purchased the same flights through Qantas using Expedia and it cost 15900 (including the extra for the seat allocation and credit card fee). I saved over 5000 AED on the same flights! Certainly worth spending an afternoon on the Internet researching all options. My family are now signed up for Qantas frequent flyer points. We get points for flying with Emirates and we can transfer the points between family members once a year for FREE. edited by kodibax on 10/05/2014 <em>edited by kodibax on 10/05/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 May 2014 - 21:54

I would suggest contacting a pet removal company to make sure all the paper work is done correctly. Documents, vaccinations, crate size etc. I foster dogs who are re homed to the US and Canada. They fly with Emirates as excess baggage, but Move One is the company who organises the paperwork, crate etc http://www.moveoneinc.com/moving/pet-transportation/ I have listed their site as they have some info on how the process works and a link on how to measure your pet for the correct size crate. <em>edited by kodibax on 09/05/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 May 2014 - 21:36

You will need to be on your husbands visa. I don't think any school will sponsor a visa for part time work. Generally, you will need to have your documents certified in your own country by the UAE Embassy. There is no supply teacher data base or supply teacher list circulated between schools. Schools are independent and run different systems for supply teachers. Some schools just have the TA's take the class, some larger schools have a lot of (non classroom) teachers around the school that they can use to cover sickness. I believe Horizon School uses casual teachers and the salary is AED 400 a day. Teaching full time in a Nursery school may be an option as their hours are usually 8-1pm, compared to 7:30 to 4:30 for the primary/secondary schools. . <em>edited by kodibax on 09/05/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 April 2014 - 23:06

Hi Spook, It's a bit of a gamble choosing a brand new school but I have made the decision to move my children from their current school (in Dubai) to Nord Anglia. I didn't make the decision lightly, I have toured several schools and been to information session for others. The more I researched Nord Anglia, the more I liked it. Every staff member I have met has been friendly, informative, helpful, down to earth and very passionate about their new school. Dubai has several exceptional schools and in my opinion Nord Anglia will be one of these schools in a year or two. I like the way it's part of an international network of schools and I'm really impressed with Mike Embley (the School Principal). This is the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nainternationalschooldubai?hc_location=timeline Mike Embley often speaks on the Dubai Eye 103.8 Education panel. Click on the links (from the Facebook page) and listen to his Education views. I think this will help you get a feel for him and the way in which he will run the school. Mike Embley's previous school was The British School of Beijing. Maybe research this school as well as the Nord Anglia School in Adu Dhabi. Good Luck with your decision. <em>edited by kodibax on 20/04/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 22:23

This is a very good site and you will learn a lot about Dubai Schools here. http://whichschooladvisor.com/ This is an article about GEMS Schools http://whichschooladvisor.com/news/well-open-six-new-schools-year-gems/ Here is a list of schools and fees. To be a teacher in the UAE you don't need to have a Teaching Degree. Western Schools (Brittish/ American etc) employ qualified teachers, hence the big $$$ difference between some schools. [u'>[b'>Generally speaking [/b'>[/u'>Western Schools range between 40000 to 60000 per year for primary grades. You would be looking at 50 000+ for High School Grades. http://whichschooladvisor.com/guides/dubai-school-fees-complete-table/ <em>edited by kodibax on 02/04/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 17:17

Hi Veela, I think you should be looking for a 1-12/13 year school. It is a logistical nightmare doing two school runs. A new school opening in Sept in Al Barsha South is called Nord Anglic They are opening with grades FS1 through to Year 8 and then expanding up to grade 13 in the following years. They are a Brittish Curriculum School with a strong language focus. I understand they will be offering Chinese, French, German, Spanish and Arabic as core subjects taught within the school day. http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/dubai/learning/languages

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 12:34

Most supermarkets sell the bug zappers. I got mine from LuLu's. <em>edited by kodibax on 02/04/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 12:19

I have a mosquito problem as well. Especially after it rains the water lying around it makes for perfect conditions for mosquito larvae. We can go for weeks without any bites and then be attacked for a week before it stops again. A few things I do, * remove any water laying around the yard in pots etc I think our mozzies bread in a large pond across the road. * make sure all windows are doors are shut especially after dark * if they are really bad I remove a bathroom roof tile and spray into the ceiling - I think our mozzies come in through the A/C vents * put winter pj's on the kids * get an electronic bug zapper. They plug into the wall and omit a blue light that attracts bugs. It is interesting to look inside them from time to time and see how many have been zapped. * buy insect repellent - I have an all natural brand that's basically strong smelling oils. Good luck waging war on the mozzies!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 11:32

When Hiring a Maid - Questions We Should Ask (the maid is in Philippine) Hi Sunlight, As well as asking the the usual work related questions I always ask lots and lots of personal questions. I know this considered stepping over the mark in many Western countries, but when you are selecting someone to live in your house, share your food, help with your children, etc I believe it is really important to know more about them than just their work ethic. I learn't the hard way - I believed everything my first maid told me and I followed up with the usual checks, although a few things didn't quite make sense I didn't think it was my right to pry into her personal live. 6 months down the line I found out her husband (who was living with her under our roof wasn't really her husband) was having several affairs. When I dug a little deeper they had been given false passports and a marriage certificate in their home country. They were actually both married to different people back in their home country and their eight year old son didn't exist. I still feel sick thinking about the dangers, diseases etc I exposed my children to. I have also hired a maid straight from the Philippines and that didn't work out well either. It's costly and a paperwork nightmare. My maid failed her medical (positive for Hep. B) this meant more paperwork and a flight back home at our expense. I believe you should meet the maid in person and ask lots person questions that will give you insight into their character. Are you married? Do you have children? How old are they? Are you religious? Do you go to church? What are some things you do on your days off? Do you have any friends or family in the UAE? Do you have a Facebook profile and would you mind me looking at it? Be really assertive and play the "Bad Cop" during the interview. Genuine maids won't be put off while the lazy, "milk everything it's worth" maids will be running for the door. Good Luck <em>edited by kodibax on 30/03/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 March 2014 - 07:11

Hi Jeddy, There have been many threads in the past few months on parents trying to get places FS1/FS2. It is extremely difficult. Read these posts and you will get a lot of information. Here is a fantastic site with loads of information about Schools in Dubai. http://whichschooladvisor.com/ They even have a section where schools can advertise admissions and vacancies http://whichschooladvisor.com/guides/latest-admissions-info/ Good Luck

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2014 - 23:22

Hi Lib, Yes, in general GEMS schools have a bit of a bad reputation for being Big Business Education and it's a little bit of a touchy subject in Dubai. But in reality they are successful business model and they are obviously doing something right as thousands of students attend their schools. New GEMS schools seem to be opening up everywhere, so business is good and business can only be good if parents and students are happy with their product. Almost all schools expat schools in Dubai are privately owned businesses and school fees are expensive. Established schools can increase fees if they meet the criteria of the KHDA. The school my children attend (not a GEMS School) increased school fees by 6% this year and they are currently applying for a 10% increase for next year. My understanding is that new schools cannot increase their fees for 3 years and I think that's why they seem a little higher than the established schools now, but in 3 years the gap will be much closer. Another new school opening close to Arabian Ranches is Safa Community School. You will need to contact them for their fee structure, but from memory it is quite reasonable. http://www.safacommunityschool.com/ Here is a fantastic site with loads of information about Schools in Dubai. http://whichschooladvisor.com/ They even have a section where schools can advertise admissions and vacancies http://whichschooladvisor.com/guides/latest-admissions-info/ Good luck with the school search.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2014 - 07:15

Hi Bubbles and Bestever, My daughter is a June birthday and I feel the older children had a big advantage for the first few years. Now my daughter is in year 1 I feel she is closing the gap. A friend of mine with a August baby did FS1 at Nursery and then held him "back a year" by doing FS1 at school the following year. She thinks it's the best decision she could have made. If you do FS1 at a nursery this year it gives you a bit more time to select the right year level before you start in the Primary School grades.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2014 - 08:30

Hi Arch, My children do not go to these schools and although I have no insight into either of these schools I believe location is a major point to consider when selecting a school. If two schools are on par consider the location and travel time to and from school. Think about how the Dubai Canal "construction chaos" will affect travel times. Depending on your travel route this could add significant time to your journey. Our school is very close to where construction has already started, last year on Thursday afternoons took me 30 min to get home from school, now it's between 50 to 70 min. Do the school run to each school and see what the traffic is like. My husband travels to Abu Dhabi every day and I spend more time in the car doing the school run than he does travelling to AD. Good luck with your decision.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 March 2014 - 11:59

My daughter is a June birth date and she did FS1 in Nursery. That worked really well for us, it was an imitate small Nursery with 16 children in the class and she loved it. It's not just about what they are taught, it's also about starting their schooling in a positive, happy, safe and friendly way. Their first impressions of school can determine how they view school for years to come. Generally, in a nursery you have more interaction with the teacher (you speak to the teacher as you drop your child off and pick them up), smaller class sizes and shorter school hours and not as much pressure about attendance or lateness. If you are worried about giving up an FS1 place and not having a FS2 place for the following year there are a few new schools opening up in Sept that will still be expanding next year. There are 4 new schools in Al Barsha South alone. Good luck with what ever you decide.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 March 2014 - 11:06

I understand fees are due at the start of a semester or term as per the school's handbook. I took the information from this site.. http://www.dubaifaqs.com/school-tuition-fees-in-dubai.php Advance payment of school tuition fees and fee payment deadlines in Dubai and the UAE 2012 - KHDA information says "a school may charge up to 30 per cent of the school's tuition fees as an admission fee to confirm that selected students will opt to take up the offered places" 17 Apr 2012 - school fee payment schedules will be decided by the Dubai or UAE government (or both) according to media reports, apparently in response to schools attempting to charge parents more than a term or semester in advance. Mohammed Darwish, Chief of Regulations and Compliance Commission at the KHDA was quoted as saying "As per the current regulations, school fees are due and payable on the first day of the semester or the month. However KHDA will, in line with the requirements and requests from schools and parents, specifically set the timing for the payment of the fees." 23 Feb 2009 - schools in Dubai (and apparently the rest of the UAE) are only permitted to ask for fees up to a maximum of one term or semester in advance, and only at the beginning of the term or semester. A press release from the KHDA dated 23 February 2009 said, in reference to complaints from parents about schools trying to collect fees earlier than the beginning of the relevant semester: As per Article 52.1 of the Private Education bylaw from the Ministry of Education this is illegal and not permissible. The article clearly states that schools can only collect school fees at the beginning of each semester or month and cannot force the parents to pay any fees in advance

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 12:19

I have made several trips to Australia with my 2 young children. We fly with Etihad, but here are some things I have noticed that may help. Bassinet seats do have more leg room for kids to move around, but the arm rests are fixed so you can't raise them for kids to lay on you. Generally these seats are in high demand so you may get split up, mum and bub in the bassinet seat and 5 year old and dad behind. When our kids no longer fitted into the bassinet, I found the standard seats better. I like seats at the back of the plane near the toilets. Sure more noise, but more room for kids to stretch their legs and less crowded (everyone wants to sit at the front). When the kids are asleep and you need to use the toilet, they are close and quick and you never are stuck behind the food/drinks trolley. We would get to the airport early and ask if it was possible to block a seat next to me for our youngest. That means they won't allocate the seat to anyone else so you end up with a spare seat without paying for it. Whenever the plane wasn't full we were always given a blocked seat just by asking. Also prams are allowed right to the boarding gate, don't check it in with baggage. If you visit the The Seat Guru. You can check any planes seating arrangement and they even tell you things like seats with more leg room, seats that don't recline etc. http://www.seatguru.com/

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