March | ExpatWoman.com
 

March

March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2013 - 20:30
Grade 1 in US system is equivalent to year 2 in British. So if he has finished year 1 BC then he is progressing correctly to then go into grade 1 US.
March
204
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 December 2013 - 11:20
One of my children felt they would do better at boarding school and so went and was very happy. As your daughter is very much in on this decision I'm sure she'll take it in her stride. I was talking to someone who says it's possible to board at Repton Dubai (and possibly some of the other UK public schools in the UAE like Brighton College). It makes a weekly boarding option for people who live far away from any good schools. It absolutely wasn't the right sort of school for my child but many rave about it and I can imagine it makes a good halfway point between getting a good education (if the Repton way suits you) and being at home. I did here of someone a few years back who commuted from RAK to Repton daily but I wonder if boarding in Uk might have really been better if not available here then. Good luck, you'll miss her but you can be in touch so much and it'll soon be time to see each other again!
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 December 2013 - 11:01
I'm sorry but your advert is plain misleading. No you don't necessarily loose home student status if you take your children out of UK/EU for more than 2 years. Many, many students who have been here for years get home status because the nature of their parent's contracts does not contravene the 'normally resident except for reasons of parent's employment rules'. You are scare mongering.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 13:45
If he is 'extremely intelligent' try DC as they have quite a high proportion of children with special educational needs as well as some with mobility issues, though I don't know the answers to your specific questions.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 11:31
....incase you were planning a visit. (advised to cancel because of bad weather reports I think).
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 10:46
Have you asked English College for your money back? I think it would be terrible of them to keep it if they take the decision to close and therefore not offer the places. Have you contacted Formarke school? They will be more expensive than ECPS though.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2013 - 14:28
I thought 15th Nov was to change curriculums eg from an English school to a US or international one. Jan 15th was to change to a school of the same curriculum eg English school to another English school.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 19:00
actually it's Persia just at the edge of Persia and india, marked with scissors between shops 104 and 105 on this map http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/Directory/Directoryone.html
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 18:38
The one in Ibn mall -india court will do that.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 14:19
I have not heard this negativity, what is it concerning? Heard the head is leaving at Christmas. Maybe you want to wait till a new one is appointed to see what you think.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 November 2013 - 17:57
Its not legal in Dubai. You have to either place your child in a regular school or homeschool. No other method is accepted. but isn't unschooling and homeschooling basically the same thing, at least as far as the authorities are concerned.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2013 - 10:58
She moved to London last June.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 November 2013 - 08:45
Are you sure there is a connection between Regent UK and Regent Dubai? Some schools in the region like Sherborne, Repton, Brighton College have a close link with their UK counterparts, others like Winchester, Westminster, Kings, Wellington have no connection beyond liking the name. I don't know about Regent.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 October 2013 - 11:47
Some international schools do BC up to age 16 like Wellington International school.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 19:15
Thanks for that. In an ideal world it would be great to make the right choice first time around and not have to worry later. Also does anyone know if JAPS is three or four form entry. I know kings has gone from two to four. JAPS has moved from 3 to 4 forms in recent years and is now 4 forms right through from R to year 6. Does that work well, as I vaguely remember its not that big inside. I mean its not too cramped is it? With both these schools what I loved upon visiting was the small school feel and the fact that the kids are known to most of the staff. More bodies = the child being just a number rather than an individual. No recent experience so I don't know how the 4 form thing is working out. They have a split site so only 3 and then 4 year groups on each site which may make a difference. I guess it is more crowded than the old days.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 14:42
Thanks for that. In an ideal world it would be great to make the right choice first time around and not have to worry later. Also does anyone know if JAPS is three or four form entry. I know kings has gone from two to four. JAPS has moved from 3 to 4 forms in recent years and is now 4 forms right through from R to year 6.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 22:08
What is the 'new JC policy' and how/why does it affect King's parents?
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 14:07
FairyDust very balanced. I myself got a rescue and love the breed so much I would prefer to get only this breed in future, but will always go for rescue. And adult Plus if anyone is desperate for a puppy - for whatever reason, often the dogs for rescue are as young as 5 / 6 months - technically still a puppy. I am very happy to take someone else's unwanted dog - and have found that I have been able to 'bring around' even the most troublesome pet with the help of other owners and also trainers. The shelters often rescue pregnant dogs about to give birth or a ***** with tiny pups. They will home them as soon as they are old enough to leave their mother. Sorry I was only referring to a female dog but they starred it! <em>edited by March on 17/09/2013</em>
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 12:36
Lots of cute puppies at K9 friends looking at their puppy album - but sadly nothing ressembling a boxer just now!
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 12:17
I think prehaps OP is talking about university entrance whereas you mean primary school exams.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2013 - 09:41
'I have a private tutor for my DD aged 8 and I pay 1400 aed per month for 2 hours a day X 5 days a week. I don't know if this is expensive or not. She tutors in all the school subjects but with a focus on English reading and writing. The tutor is not a native English speaker but speaks English fluently.'' This is a genuine question because I want to understand why some children have so much tutoring. You have mentioned before that your daughter is top of the class so why does she need so much tutoring. Can the school not give her extra homework challenges etc. if she is bright or she could learn additional skills eg music (maybe she does that too). I think I would begin to question what I was paying school fees for or is it a case of keeping her up to par until you can get her into a more satisfactory school. Please don't take offence I'm not criticising merely trying to understand. <em>edited by March on 05/09/2013</em>
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 14:08
Is this the Star school with a new head this year?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2013 - 15:39
I don't think Horizon has ever truly been not-for-profit but that doesn't mean it's not a good school.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 June 2013 - 10:05
Think the only ones are ASD, Indian High, DESS,JESS,JAPS and DC.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2013 - 08:56
Geant, Park and shop and le petit marche (near mcgrudies) have gluten free sections. I've also bought gluten free spaghetti and a box of lasagne from waitrose. Gluten free bread is best home made i think - you'll see lots of flours on sale. I often use Red Mill bread flour. You can easily get egg replacer to put in it and for other things. Putting apple sauce into cakes and things can help make them more moist and less crumbly. Barkat is a good make of pasta - needs cooking for a bit longer. Generally I use rice milk, but I can also tolerate camels milk. Personally I don't like soya milk but sometimes use coconut milk in cooking. Massel bouillon stock cubes are gluten free and without MSG and are good and can be bought in Geant. Read labels carefully beacuse those things are in a lot of stuff one way or another or under one name or another eg casein=dairy. Jelly sweets often contain wheat syrup or starch - they may only say 'starch'. Basically it's not too bad - lots is available, best to stick to very simple things to avoid unwanted additives - fruit, veg, plain meat or fish if you are not vegetarian. I found it really hard to find completely dairy free magarine but now use Nuttelex from Waitrose. Anyway, a bit jumbled but hope it gives you some ideas.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 June 2013 - 11:07
With regard to secondary every year some move on to Dubai College but I couldn't tell you what percentage. I've also over the years known some who have moved on to English College. Horizon have been talking off and on over the last ten years about opening their own secondary, you may want to find out what their current position is on that if your child is young and you have a few years to go.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2013 - 18:52
I think it's Arcapita. They own Riffa Views International school in Bahrain.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 09:53
Japs certainly used to send the papers to Uk for marking some years back. They used to advertise the fact that the results were externally marked ones. SATS has changed over the years, maybe things are different - more multiple choice perhaps which is easy to mark accurately and without subjectivity. Just ask them why, they will have given it lots of thought and will explain no doubt if it is a financial consideration or what.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 16:01
I think Repton is English curriculum up to age 16 where GWA is international throughout which may make a difference to you one way or another. Some Repton parents have in the past said on here that lunch/snacks are all included in fees. I have no direct experience with either school just adding what I think is the case as you haven't many replies.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 10:46
Yes, is it possible to select academically able kids when they are barely 3 at assessment time. You could pick those with good English skills, social skills etc. but if you were to reasses the same children even one or two years later would you pick the same ones - I really don't know the answer to that. There are ofcourse other selective high schools like JC and Repton and rumour has it EC is looking in that direction.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 10:15
It will be a selective school, finally. I believe that there is a hole in the market and there will be a lot of rejections in the applications dept. Does it cost more to educate a selected class of FS1 children? Yes. The teachers will be more experienced and there will be smaller class sizes and closer relationships between parents and teachers, not to mention more family functions. I would have thought all these things, particularly smaller class sizes would be at least equally important for a school that was not selecting the most academically able. Why would an average or below average child progress well any more or less than a bright child in a large class?
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 May 2013 - 18:52
It will be a selective school, finally. I believe that there is a hole in the market and there will be a lot of rejections in the applications dept. Does it cost more to educate a selected class of FS1 children?
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:25
JAPS own their own buses don't they? which are now getting old and will need replacing soon. As you say better to get rid of them and contract out to a company using small buses and the cost divided between those who use them. I guess it'll end up more expensive for the bus users but they will have transport!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:10
No I doubt it would have applied to Discovery gardens because that area is already developed, though GEMS ofcourse will have much more money to play with than JAPS I would imagine. I assume they turned it down for another reason, location perhaps. Why not ask the senior management or the governors - in the past they have given all the information they had about secondary school plans. Some years back they were within months of opening the secondary school - it was to start for year 7 with prefabricated and assembled on new site buildings and was finally cancelled in the February before the September it was due to open beacause of the financial crisis which meant Nakheel were indefinately postponing redevelopment of the area making the cost of bringing utilities prohibitive. They then found other secondary places for the year 6 children who had signed up to stay on for year 7. Maybe they are still waiting on Nakheel and want the school altogether, key stage 1 on currrent site with key stage 2 and 3 (later 4 and 5) just across the road infront of the Lifeline Hospital. The current key stage 2 site to be demolished or incorporated into Nakheel's new development of that area. My information is from years ago they may have changed their thinking so best to ask them.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 14:52
I think the Winchester School in Jebel Ali does AS and A levels
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2013 - 14:36
I may be wrong but I thought they were waiting for Nakheel to redevelop the area and bring water, sewage etc. and then they had a plot opposite the key stage 1 site to build a new key stage 2 and high school, but not financially viable until there are utilities there. The old villas seem to be being refurbished now so I don't know what that's all about.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 09:57
Please remember some people you see with a Husky have actually rescued them from a shelter here in Dubai. True. Huskys and husky-crosses are not at all uncommon at K9 friends.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 09:51
The strange situation here in Dubai is that many schools offer great learning support, but they don't tell anyone about it. I can only assume that in an environment where schools have to operate as businesses, being great with special needs children isn't seen as a great marketing message. Which is a shame. I too have a child who has been diagnosed with high functioning autism (I think - this is the same as Asperger Syndrome, right?) and our school (Repton) has provided truly outstanding support for him at no extra cost. However, I should add that he's only in year 4 at the moment, so this may change as he gets older if he needs more help. I did speak to DC, just out of curiosity as I'd heard they wouldn't take a child with special needs and I wanted to know if this was true before I got all indignant about it. They said they would take any child who passed the entrance exam (for which they would provide extra time for those with an autistic diagnosis or with documented processing issues) and welcomed special needs children. 'Cymraes', where is your home country? I can't speak for anywhere else, but in the UK, an Aspergers/hfa diagnosis does entitle your child to significant extra support. Where did you hear that DC wouldn't take special needs?? According to the KHDA report something like 110 of the 819 pupils are identified as having special needs and they had a good report about the support they gave to them. Actually, I think the OP said her son was at another non-profit school.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 10:18
Greek Orthodox. and all the 'Eastern' churches I think. Been very busy at the churches in jebel ali this week.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2013 - 15:22
I hope this means you've been sucessful with your waiting lists Emlsnre.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 April 2013 - 09:10
Music shops like The Music room in Beach centre or Thompsons in Ibn sell the light blue soft polishing cloths (nor gloves) for polishing flutes etc.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 09:50
If your DD is only four, then I wouldn't worry too much about the secondary situation. Seven years is a very long time in Dubai, and new schools are popping up all over the place. This has been a really tough year for many people going on to secondary. I have several friends with no school sorted out for September, but once the new schools are up-and-running there shouldn't be a problem. This is so true. About 9 years ago when there was only DC, JC and EC to choose from for an English curriculum secondary lots of people struggled and some had to go home, then lots of new schools started to open and about 6 or 7 years ago there were more year 7 places than year 6 children wanting them. Another 7 years and maybe JAPS will have a secondary. Even year by year things change if only 1 or 2 Japs children are going to EC when normally about a quarter of the year group go there. This was the breakdown for Sept. 2012. Dubai College 22 English College 23 Jumeirah College 6 JESS Ranches 4 DESS College 17 Others 9 Overseas 4 (85 - Total)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 12:49
Certainly in the early days Repton wanted to establish itself as an academically selective school and there was to be no guarantee of their own year 6 pupils getting a place in year 7 unless they did well enough on the entrance exam. So, if this is still the case, which I don't know, then no automatic entry to secondary. JAPS publishes each year which schools its year 6 are going to and it seemed in recent years to be mainly a feeder school for Dubai College and English College with a few going elsewhere so interesting what you say about DESC. Has EC changed much with the new head teacher?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 10:49
Welshwife I'm shocked by what you and your son had to go through. Do your really want him to attend the latter two schools? He resists being pulled into a room by a stranger, I would have thought that was a good thing. Do they know anything about 3 year olds? IB curricuum at Raha will be too challenging for him? Who are they kidding? Anyway, I hope he gets a spot at Yasmina by some miracle. I think charging 500Dhs for admission registration and assessment is reasonable if properly and fairly administered.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 10:24
Happy St. George's Day !!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 09:28
Where is Al Thanya Rd? Not near me.... Just before MoE, cuts from Beach road to SZR. Which section is it on? Between Beach and Wasl or Wasl and SZR?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 10:35
Actually it's 'creative minds' that I'm thinking of. They have a location map for their new store on umm suquiem st. here http://creativemindsdubai.com/ . I don't know about creative arts centre - sorry. <em>edited by March on 17/04/2013</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 10:04
Sorry not been there yet but I think it's over the otherside of SZR now and near to mall of the emirates. Someone will come on and tell you.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 09:25
If Mrs Chapman is still the head at Pearl she certainly did a lot in her short time as head of Jebel Ali primary in Dubai to tighten up on things and raise standards across the board.
March
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2013 - 12:22
Have you considered BSAK or are they completely full?
 
 
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