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plum2

plum2
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Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 19:39
Bump
plum2
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Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 15:52
Hi, I know of someone who would be interested in Tutoring psychology to AS level. Please drop me an email on dubaiplum at gmail dot com and I will pass you her details. Thanks
plum2
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Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 13:01
We just got some sept flights with BA for 1700 aed. (440 gbp) That sale is still on if you look on skyscanner.com. Not sure about the summer though. We check daily on there for sales, it shows all airlines inc. emirates, Qatar and etihad, though they are never the cheapest. We are now looking for nov flights but that are all still showing 3000 aed plus. (Dubai-uk) What exchange rate are you using? 440GBP must be close to 2500 dhs surely?
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 22:34
Check for flight options on www.Cleartrip.ae I'm flying to the Uk with Gulf Air (a short stop in Bahrain) early July and am paying 2200dhs.
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 11:38
I don't think Repton have any room to increase capacity any more. Evolvence are opening a new school, Foremarke Hall, but it is more expensive.
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 11:31
Have you checked with admissions at Repton to see whether they have spaces for year 1? I had heard they only had spaces from year 3 up.
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Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 14:00
They also run one at Ibn Battuta. Check the website for details.
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Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 13:51
AR is a lovely green area to live in. Check that you are not too close to SMBZ rd as the noise can be bad at times. With the improvements to the roads it is very easy and quick to get to lots of places from AR. That does seem a little high price wise though.
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Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 13:39
Please email me on [email protected] Thanks
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 13:02
[quote'> Any thoughts on Regent International? We have visited, but don't really know. Any advice/guidance please!! I have a friend with a child in year 8 and they are actively looking for another school. <em>edited by plum2 on 27/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 11:25
Sorry, I was typing fast and didn't notice the missing 'A'. Yes, FJ is right. JAPS is the school I meant.
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 11:05
Call Rebecca Corley 050 7141094 She does an amazing selection of canapés. I have used her twice for parties. Everyone has raved about the food.
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 11:01
I would go with JPS. It is a not for profit school which makes a big difference. You can always choose Repton for secondary school if you a still here and it will be more established by then. And I think more than a few JAPS students got into DC this year. I had heard it was 11 or something like that. <em>edited by plum2 on 27/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 26 April 2013 - 13:55
I live in AR and can collect for Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, a school for children with special needs. You can Email me on Dubaiplum at gmail dot com. Thanks
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Latest post on 26 April 2013 - 12:23
There are 2 riding schools at AR Polo Club. There is the main Polo club one and also Hoofbeatz that operate out of the big white tent. This is air conditioned so you can continue to ride in the summer.
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Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 21:27
They are a good budget airline - no frills. You pay extra for everything. If you need to cancel you can't get a refund, only credit.
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Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 21:25
Try the Dubai Community Health Centre on Beach Road. We had my son assessed for speech and language there by a lady called Ruba Tabari. The Dubai Community Health Centre is no longer on the Beach Rd but has moved close to Lamcy Plaza. I believe the old phone number still puts you through. Ruba Tabari now works independently. Meg Klien, Bhakti Ayrton and Karen Shiels have all left and moved to The Developing Child Centre.
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Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 11:24
the ladies shop Eve Michelle up next to Magrudy's on the beach Rd used to stock them. Not sure whether they still do.
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Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 10:26
No, not from Doha sorry. Where will you/DH be working? Most people find a school place first and then try to find accommodation close to the school. Did you have any thoughts about other schools? Good British Curriculum Schools include JESS (probably no chance unless you have a debenture) DESS, Jebel Ali Primary School, Jumeirah Primary School, English College Primary School, Kings, Repton. Others include Wellington International, Gems Wellington DSO, Wellington Primary, Jumeirah Primary School. I'm only saying others as Im not sure exactly what curriculum they follow - they are all good school) <em>edited by plum2 on 25/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 21:03
I can recommend Mebo too. It stinks but it works!
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 21:02
I think the children's garden is great but they have a different cut off age wise and call their years something different, which can make a transfer into the British system difficult in a year or two's time. This is what happened to a friend of mine a few years ago anyway. Best to check it out.
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 15:45
I think they must be used to that. Some schools ask them to take a favourite book along for something to stimulate conversation.
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 15:39
David Sims is still the District Scout Leader so he should be able to help you. <em>edited by plum2 on 24/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 14:28
They generally just want to see how children interact with others. Sometimes they ask the parents to leave, sometimes they don't. In the UK curriculum phonics are not really covered until FS2 so no expectation of that at this point. Hopefully they will see that she is able to play appropriately, put more than a couple of words together in sentences, can answer simple questions maybe know a few colours, shapes etc.
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 12:42
i think the first challenge might be finding him a place in a good school. have you approached any schools yet? I have a friend with a child in Yr 8 in not a great school and she is really struggling to find a place in Year 9 in a better school.
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 11:10
Have you tried DESS in Dubai? Not sure how old your younger one is. DESS in Dubai do not start until FS2/Reception. Many schools should have places for year 4. It is the earlrier years that are currently very oversubscribed.
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Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 12:42
The waterparks might be too hot during the day but I think Wild Wadi has a 'sundowner' entry after something like 4pm. 4-8pm would be fine.
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Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 12:41
Kids are welcome at many of the Madinat restaurants. If you have a reservation then you can ride the little abras for free. It's really pretty. I ate at the Wharf (Mina a'Salaam) last night and there were lots of children there.
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Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 12:39
Go and eat somewhere overlooking the fountains at Dubai Mall. It may be too hot to eat outside then (in fact almost certainly will be) but you can go outside to watch everytime they play. Their kids would probably love the Rainforest cafe in Dubai Mall. You can sit and eat and watch the fish in the aquarium from the other side. The rainforest cafe has all sorts of animal models that move and make noises every so often.
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Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 09:14
Not a huge amount for 5 year olds but quite a lot of shade and access to water (pool, fountain sort of area and wave pool) so if they like messing around in water you should be OK. Great for older kids.
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Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 23:44
We used Khasab Dolphin Tours and they were excellent. The boat had one large carpeted deck with a rail most of the way round. A toddler would be OK if carefully supervised, and yes, a life jacket would give you more peace of mind.
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Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 23:40
I think the Millenium Airport Hotel. Brunch there used to be very reasonable and you can move between Biggles, Cantina and the Garden view restaurant. They didn't have a pool for a while but I think I read recently that now they do. Give them a call to confirm.
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Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 16:22
There were some advertised before Xmas at the Sheikh Hamdan pool on the by-pass Rd. Not too far from the Ranches. maybe someone else will have the details. I believe you need a doctors letter that you are fit to swim, to be able to use the Sh Hamdan baths.
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 21:02
For our own pice of mind we wanted someone who was acting for us not, like the bank and the real eastate agent, only interested in their comission. Jean-Luc from Home matters read and explained all the small print and talked us through all the procedures. It was money well spent and things happened a lot quicker because he was there to drive things forward. For 2 busy working parents that was a huge help. Have you ever tried to get through to someone at a bank here???
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 20:33
LL may have sold but did he give you the required 12 months notice?
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 20:09
Clairehdp - a very positive post from you and I'm really pleased you are happy with your move back to the UK but you have to appreciate that you are in a far better financial position than many posters on EW. You do not have to work, you have a home in the sun in Spain you visit 2 or 3 times a year so you can escape the cold and rain most have suffered through in the Uk this winter, you can afford to educate your children in lovely private schools and you can afford to holiday back in Dubai. This is a very different life from that many others would have to experience. We made the years that we were in Dubai work for us - we had fun when there but we saved hard and are reaping the benefits of not doing brunches every Friday! We don't go to Spain in the winter we enjoyed the rain and the snow in the UK! I didn't have to work in Dubai - but I did and I did voluntary work too.... I wasn't getting at you at all. I just think the reality of life in the UK, when you havent got much in the way of savings behind you, can be quite grim. It's the same in NZ when we visit there. We are trying to save hard but with university fees, costs going up and no salary increases it gets more and more difficult!..and we're not brunchers either!
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 20:04
Thanks all. She's got one now :)
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 14:03
Clairehdp - a very positive post from you and I'm really pleased you are happy with your move back to the UK but you have to appreciate that you are in a far better financial position than many posters on EW. You do not have to work, you have a home in the sun in Spain you visit 2 or 3 times a year so you can escape the cold and rain most have suffered through in the Uk this winter, you can afford to educate your children in lovely private schools and you can afford to holiday back in Dubai. This is a very different life from that many others would have to experience.
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 13:58
We worked with home matters and were pleased with their service. We negotiated a cheaper fee for them just to deal with the transactions as we prepared all the loan paperwork ourselves.
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 12:11
Wanted one regular ticket for the 4 May for my dd. I wasn't organised enough to get one earlier and am now in big trouble. She would rather go on the 4th with her friends. Please email Dubaiplum at gmail dot com TIA
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Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 11:20
There seems to be no difference between a child and an adult passport, or the procedure required. The only difference is once they are 18 the passport is valid for 10 years. I renewed my sons passport just after he turned 18 and no extra documents or anything were required. I just sent the form, new photos and old passport. Easy peasy :)
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Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 17:34
How old are your children and where will you/DH be working? Maybe people on here will be able to give you useful advice. Are you aware that school places for some age groups are particularly hard to find at the moment? Most schools term ends for the current academic year by 28 June. Are you looking at putting them into school for the last 6 weeks of the year or looking for September? I guess it could be a very long hot summer here if they dont know anyone. Ramadan will be from around 10 July to 10 August. Many expat families leave Dubai for a significant portion of the July-August long summer break. There is a lady in Dubai who just works helping families to find school places but I can't remember her name. I am sure someone will post her details. Good Luck with edited by plum2 on 18/04/2013 It's Fiona Coutts 050 544 8916 Well done Claire! I knew someone would remember. <em>edited by plum2 on 18/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 15:43
There was a recent thread on this (2 weeks ago). The RTA told me that overseas drivers could drive my car ONLY with an International Driving License. My Insurance company said if RTA said it was OK, then they would cover the driver.
plum2
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Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 15:17
How old are your children and where will you/DH be working? Maybe people on here will be able to give you useful advice. Are you aware that school places for some age groups are particularly hard to find at the moment? Most schools term ends for the current academic year by 28 June. Are you looking at putting them into school for the last 6 weeks of the year or looking for September? I guess it could be a very long hot summer here if they dont know anyone. Ramadan will be from around 10 July to 10 August. Many expat families leave Dubai for a significant portion of the July-August long summer break. There is a lady in Dubai who just works helping families to find school places but I can't remember her name. I am sure someone will post her details. Good Luck with your move! <em>edited by plum2 on 18/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 21:02
There is a shop almost opposite Waitrose in Dubai Mall that has orthopaedic shoes. Did you try that one?
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 16:59
Horizon is a much smaller school. They have just announced plans to build a secondary school so, depending on your child's age, it could be ready by the time you need it. Where will you/DH be working? The schools are quite far apart.
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 16:36
Repton is open as usual tomorrow.
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 15:46
Absolutely. He cannot evict you like this. I'm sure the rent committee will tell your husband the same thing. Please keep us posted so others know.
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 15:27
The Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre has a special programme for children with CP. They have to have good cognitive skills to be admitted and do academic work to a high standard. The programme is based on the principles of conductive education where the children are constantly encouraged to develop independence. Great OT, Physio and SLT as required. The aim of the programme is to give the children the skills they need to be able to transition into mainstream education. Please contact Krista Hicks, Senior Physiotherapist at the centre 04 340 0005 and go and have a look.
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Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 15:23
Definitely opening in September, building just waiting final inspection. Opening with 2 classes per year group I think. Friends who went to the open day were impressed with the new Head teacher
 
 
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