plum2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

plum2

plum2
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Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 16:07
Thanks for clarifying. It still sounds like a good deal!
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Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 15:40
Children are assessed for additional needs and, if appropriate, given a statement of special educational needs which spells out how much extra help (like speech therapy) they are entitled to. I doubt whether a 6 month language delay would be considered sever enough unless it has impacted significantly on his learning to read and write for example.
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Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 15:33
Can you really not find someone who would come in to your place 2 or 3 times a week? Even without plants I would want someone to check on the place. Ww had a leak while we were away last year - luckily my friend spotted it on her weekly check - it could have been a lot worse.
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Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 15:29
Is that unlimited entrance to Wild Wadi for 3 months or a voucher for a single entry that's valid for 3 months?
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Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 21:46
I know the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre would appreciate it and would use it in their work with children with special needs. They are in the same rd as Lulu's, between Lulu's and MOE if you are able to drop it off.
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Latest post on 03 June 2011 - 18:48
There's the Hurricanes as well.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 20:48
ETA: To be honest we don't have a problem getting the mortgage, we were more looking for a mortgage broker to help us know which one was best for us and to guide us through the process through to the transfer, but not sure now if thats exactly what they do. Hopefully it is though, otherwise we're back to square 1. edited by AdviceSeeker on 02/06/2011 That's exactly the service that Homematters provide.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 19:02
We used Homematters and they were excellent. I think they charge a flat fee rather than a percentage, but you can always negotiate depending what you want them to do.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 16:34
From another website: What levels are children expected to achieve at the end of each Key Stage? Progress in the National Curriculum is measured by levels. There are 8 of these in all with only the most able pupils achieving levels 7 and 8 when they are 14. Each National Curriculum subject has a careful description of the particular skills, knowledge and understanding that are required to progress from one level to the next. The table below gives an indication of the expected levels for each Key Stage. The levels are very broad and children with learning difficulties may take several years to achieve all the requirements of a particular level and progress to the next. Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 Key Stage 3 7 year olds 11 year olds 14 year olds Exceptional Level 4 Level 6 Level 8 Beyond expectations Level 3 Level 5 Level 7 At expected level Level 2a, 2b or 2c Level 4 Levels 5 & 6 Below expectations Level 1, W* Level 3, 2a, 2b or 2c Levels 4 & 3 * W represents children who are working towards, but who have not yet achieved, the standards needed for Level 1. The Government are introducing plans to retest, at the end of Year 7, children who do not achieve Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 2. Children will also be assessed at the end of the Foundation Stage.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 16:21
Is it a school where they are in different ability sets for some subjects? Perhaps the levels are said to be 'good' or not considering his abuility in that subject and the improvement he has shown?
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 16:10
Brighton College is a new UK curriculum school opening in AD in Sept. New schools are always easiest to get in to.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 16:06
Have a look at www.direct.gov.uk and select Education and Learning. This should explain the grading system. By the age of 14 most children should achieve levels 5 or 6 so with a 7a he is doing much better than this. I would say it is a good result. You could ask what the year average is.
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Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 05:46
...and how old are your children? School places anywhere seem really hard to find at present, particularly in the early years.
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Latest post on 01 June 2011 - 21:35
Al Reems seem to be rows and rows of terraced houses all fronting onto the road like the Springs. Palmera has 4 or 6 houses joined together around a courtyard/parking area. The houses are varied in sizes within the same cluster. <em>edited by plum2 on 01/06/2011</em>
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Latest post on 31 May 2011 - 16:33
Good tip. I'll try that too. Otherwise Tanya I wouldn't worry too much. All teenagers school shirts seem to end up with pen marks on them. It used to drive me crazt but I realised I was fighting a losing battle. As long as the shirt is clean I am happy.
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Latest post on 31 May 2011 - 16:30
Hi snuffles Thanks for your reply. Yes I do mean turtles. We have 2 turtles in separate tanks, well not really tanks. They are those big plastic underbed storage bins you get from ikea. They are big enough and deep enough that the turtles can get out of the water to bask on the bricks, but also to swim around the pool. As these are only maybe 8" high, have no lid and are kept on the ground, then cats could certainly get at them. I just wanted to know whether a cat is likely to hassle them. Thanks
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Latest post on 31 May 2011 - 15:55
I live in a 4 bed and the bills are way lower than this. About 250-300 in winter and has now gone up to 600. Garden and other maintainance (including water sprinklers) and community pool / gym etc are included in the rent (the rent is relatively high though because of this). The AC was never on in the winter and we only use it in the bedrooms now; I did put it on in the sitting room but it was too cold! We have some sort of film / special glass ? that keeps the house very cool. wow- wish I had your low bills! Where is this?
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Latest post on 31 May 2011 - 15:37
A question for turtle owners who also have a cat. Does the cat show any interest in the turtles? Would it be safe to have turtles if you had a cat? TIA
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 16:46
Jess AR website states that GCSE and IB examination are additional costs Presumably the same school that Sue62 refers to when she says they only pay for retakes - who is correct?
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 15:50
Thanks. Be interesting to hear what other schools do.
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 15:41
Which school Sue 62?
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 15:27
Is it not just schools passing on fees that are charged by the various exam boards? My child is in yr 11 at DC and we just got a bill for about 3,000 (i think) for exam fees. Have to say I wasnt expecting it at all! <em>edited by plum2 on 30/05/2011</em>
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 13:03
OK resent.
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 12:58
Sending mail now ladies.
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 12:25
I have just received a message at work from a colleague who is leaving and has furniture to sell. A lot of it is Ash (light wood colour with wood grain). If you are interested post an email address and I'll forward the details to you.
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Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 10:13
Try calling the HABA shop. it is one street in from the Sh Z rd slip road just before Junction 3 (Al Manara). It has great quality imported toys and they used to stock an excellent range of kids bikes and scooters. 04 43404061
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Latest post on 29 May 2011 - 21:03
Sorry saffachick - only just got back to the computer. I will email you.
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Latest post on 29 May 2011 - 11:09
Surely the hot tank wouldnt be on the roof? It's usually in the ceiling space.
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Latest post on 29 May 2011 - 08:14
we have a guitar that broke at the neck when it fell over sideways. If you released the strings you could probably glue it back together so it would look fine - you just wouldnt be able to play it. You are welcome to it if you want it. We are in AR.
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Latest post on 28 May 2011 - 15:00
Good to hear you have school fees covered. You will probably want to live fairly close to school, wherever that may be. Don't know where you'll be working but there is a new GEMS school opening in Silicon Oasis in Sept. New schools are always easier to get in to. Silicon Oasis is a nice area to live in. Presumably you'll need a school with bus transport and then have a maid to take care of your two until you get home from work.
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Latest post on 28 May 2011 - 13:19
Sorry I know it's not what you are asking but just checking that your employer is paying all your school fees and accommodation costs up front or providing your accommodation. Set up costs can be huge here, especially when you have to provide a year's rent in only a few cheques. There are some new schools opening which aremore likely to have spaces. Can you tell us where you will be working/living and maybe people can advise you further? Good Luck!
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Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 21:11
I forgot my password recently and there was an option to have an email sent to me which allowed me to reset my password. Keep looking. It's there somewhere!
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Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 18:48
Dubai Library Distributors on Sh Zayed Rd is also v good. It's on the RHS heading towards Dubai from AD. In the slip Rd and has a big pen outside. Can't remember exactly where but near Al Manara junction. Hope someone else can give better directions.
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Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 17:29
And if in Dubai, whereabouts? Thanks
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Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 17:29
Island girl, she should be able to email the vouchers to you if you can sort out payment.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 21:28
Bump
plum2
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 21:03
? Why were you doing 80 in a 40 zone?? Typo?
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 20:40
People just don't appear to think about anyone but themselves. I went to a party at the weekend in a play are, and someone turned up 15 minutes before the end, the staff got the kids food, which they did not eat, and did not stay in the party area for more than 5 mins cos they wanted to go on the rides, and that was all we saw of them, at a cost of 150 dirhams to the parents of the child having the the party. It always makes me so annoyed. Unbelievably rude!!
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 20:39
My guys just cut them in half and eat them with a teaspoon like kiwifruit.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 20:01
Thanks :)
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 19:00
Which years will your kids be going into? Mine will be years 10 and 12 next year.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 18:59
I think you could safely do either (assuming you mean with one of those vertical steamers like they have in stores). if you are going to iron I would use a cloth (fine tea towel or similar) to iron through, to be sure you don't damage the material. Good luck!
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 18:54
Which Spinneys?? Personally I think they taste like soap but the rest of my family LOVE them! <em>edited by plum2 on 25/05/2011</em>
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 18:53
From AR you get onto Emirates Rd (heading towards Abu Dhabi) briefly, take the first exit off to the right and that road goes straight all the way to DC (crossing Sh Zayed Rd) 1 set of lights en route and 1 right by DC. Very easy drive.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 18:46
Do you have an email address you can put up briefly and I'll get her send you some details? She (the owner) is currently living in the UK.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 18:06
You should also add the Arabian Ranches to your list. With recent improvements to the road it's now a very direct and easy route to DC. We are in Saheel and it only takes us 10 mins door to door. There is a DC bus to the Ranches and a late bus if they do after school activities. Worth having a look and seeing what you think anyway. For 200K you could probably get a 3 bed plus maids and maybe even a pool. A friend has one for rent in Savannah from August. 3 bedroom plus study plus maids plus stunning pool and outdoor gazebo etc. Rent 220K but neg. Post again if you want details.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 15:32
I use 'Vanish' in the pink pots from the supermarket. I soak stained items (sometimes up to a week) before washing. I sometimes add half a scoop of vanish to my normal detergent in a wash. I only ever wash white items together (no colours). I dry inside but I believe drying outside in the sunshine helps.
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Latest post on 25 May 2011 - 15:29
Househunters - one of the two real estate agents currently operating stands within the AR shopping Centre - have very good little maps that show all the different communities and the location of the pools and other community facilities. The streets are not numbered but they are quite easy to work out from the map. Al Waha is not part of AR. It is behind AR and backs onto the Dubai by-pass Rd. The Layan community is adjacent to it.
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Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 17:09
We needed to get a second hand gas and electric cooker installed back in January. We are in AR. I just rang one of the gas companies and they came and did it for 50 dhs. No mention of any certificate. Maybe it depends where you live. I think I used Al Fahidi gas from memory. They came the same day I called. HTH
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Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 12:40
Can you post your email address?
 
 
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