VictoriaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

VictoriaM

VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 16:10
Feefmick, Great to hear! Your DD at DESS sounds so like mine. She does 2 sports clubs some days too. Which year is yours in? Kings don't run buses to fixtures either, so I know what a pain that is. I've been told its common to all primaries here, so just a cross we have to bear with sporty kids. The Facebook site sounds really helpful.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 13:52
Just retread the letter And it does say significant progress has been made on the construction. Wonder if anyone has been out to take a look? Couldn't find anything about construction commencing at AL Barsha in NOvember though.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 13:40
Jules, sorry, Ididnt take that in when I read the letter a while back. Fingers crossed then. It would be so reassuring to many people to see some visible action. We've not been out to Nad al SHeba. Has work commenced there do you know?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 10:23
We can try cutting down on the watering first, perhaps every other day. Otherwise it may well be the position we have planted them in. It's a courtyard which is shady for much of the day. Strangely though, our next door neighbour has them in the same place and they are flowery. They are well established though and have grown to the top of the wall and into the sunshine. Perhaps once ours reach the sun they will get blooms all over, even on the parts of the plant that are in shade?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 10:16
Feefmick, can I ask you a Question re DESS sports clubs? I think you said your girls were sporty so sure you will know. Can they do as many sport ACAs as they want to? The ACA form says one school-run Activity each, but our DD does 3 or 4 sports where she is. One is definitely not enough for her.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 10:11
So reassuring, thanks ladies. We are as sure as we can be that she will enjoy DESS. She liked it when we toured and all the staff were very friendly and warm to her. She says she likes DESS and loves Kings! Of course she does at the moment - it's her school and its familiar. It's more than her friends there. Her teacher this year is just perfect for her and she just really seems to be enjoying the whole educational experience and doing exciting extra stuff like writing a book at breaktimes with a group of classmates (their own initiative). Kings at the moment we can live with as she is so settled, but it is the future that really swings us. If she moves to DESS then she can go up to DESC with all her new friends. So she will at last have some stability in her education and not need to change schools again. Of course the same could be said of KINgs but there are two many uncertainties there on education and physical facilities. Jessie - we have been past the al Barsha site a few times recently and there is no sign of any activity at all. They need to get cracking soon if its going to be ready for next September. We explained the secondary school situation to DD and said we could end up with no place at a good, established school and her answer was to go back to the UK! That is not an option for us as DH really doesn't want to go back as he had no work-life balance at all in London. Hopefully DD will gradually get used to the idea (and even get excited?). Perhaps we told her too early - she still has this long half a term to finish. We will have to really talk up DESS to get her looking forward to it. I may talk to the school to see if there is anything that can be done to help like meet her new teacher, see her classroom, even have a play date with a classmate. It doesn't matter how sure we are it's the right thing in the long run, it's always going to be hard seeing your child in tears. We will have to display absolute confidence and conviction to reassure DD. time to toughen up mum!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 21:39
He did OK cutting back some plants with me. Its just the method he used that I object to. But in future I'll have to agree what he' s to do and also how. I'm not convinced many of the 'gardeners' here are proper trained gardeners as we'd know them either. But IM sure most wouldn't do what he did today.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 20:59
The news of a school move has not gone down well with DD. SHe has been in floods of tears. Loves Kings and wants to stay at a school for more than 2 years (Kings is her 3rd school). Oh dear, feel dreadful now.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 19:49
Am going to sack him, again! Sacked him once for not doing enough, now he is doing more but clearly not properly. He's a general compound maintenance chap rather than a trained gardener. Whilst on the subject of bougainvillea, our red ones, planted a few months ago, now have no flowers. I've read it could be overwatering, insufficient sun or possibly just not yet established. Our white flowered bougainvillea meanwhile are covered in blooms (different variety, not just in colour). Any gardeners out there know which explanation is most likely?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 19:28
I've got the secateurs out and done precisely what you suggest NOmad. So plants (found 3 that have been butchered) should hopefully be fine. Do I need to tell gardener not to do that again? He told our maid it was fine when she picked him up on it.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 15:05
Yes, that's how I was taught Polly. No he didn't use large shears- he used his hands and twisted the branches! He is one of our cOmpound gardener/maintenance guys. Will ask him not to do that again. Perhaps they don't have proper gardening tools though.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 13:43
Yes it is sad that it seems to have changed so much in character. It's still a pretty good school though, but with some issues (which school hasnt?) and a lot of uncertainty at present.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 13:39
Is it normal here to 'cut' back bougainvillea (or any other plant for that matter) by hand ie by tearing off the branches. One of my bougainvilleas looks in a sorry state as a result! We were taught how, where and when to prune in the UK using proper tools. Will this hand method damage the plant?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 13:17
How come DESS has so many places on offer? Especially if it is such a good school? Most schools have none! Just because they are carrying out assessments doesn't necessarily mean they have places now. It is probably for a place on the waiting list. DD did her assessment 18 months ago and has been waiting.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 13:11
Congrats on your decision. I popped my son's application into DESC today (DESS kids get flow through rights but we need to confirm we want them by the end of Oct). Anyway, reception was busy with children doing tours and assessments and there were a lot of Kings' kids in uniform. Lol! Have just confirmed to DESS that we will be accepting and will pop down this week to finalise. A chance to try out the drive!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 12:16
JessieJ, In all honesty I think I have sufficient views and opinions now and don't really need to take the conversation offline. I have also spoken to a couple of Kings people who have recently moved their kids to DESS or DESC, so are truly able to compare the two. Don't think there is much to add tbh. Your post about non-profit versus for- profit education sums it up really in terms of the crucial difference in focus. And Everything you say about the difficulties of getting into DC concurs with what I've heard elsewhere. It's not a given, even if your child is strong enough academically - such is the competition. And if I'm bring truly honest, I'm not even sure our DD is up to it academically. She is bright but not exceptional so unlikely to get in. Even if she were to get in, my feeling is she would probably be happier in a slightly less academically pressurised school with lots of sport ie DESC. No more discussion. We will be taking the place at DESS. Now to organise that deposit!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 12:05
Sorry, the last message was for Stickleback not Plano!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 12:03
Plano. There was actually a further expansion at Kings this year, to 5 classes, in some years. The remaining years were meant to expand In January, but I believe that plan is cancelled or at least postponed as the secondary school kids are no longer moving out in January and freeing up classrooms.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 23:06
JessieJ, which schools are you suggesting only teach up to level 5?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 22:27
JessieJ! Ah is that where she went! Great loss to KIngs.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 22:05
Plano, are the other families that moved as happy with DESS as you are?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 21:02
Stickleback, I know a mum who moved her child from KIngs to JAPS and is delighted with JAPS. Good academics and sport, excellent extra-curricular activities, very welcoming, great secondary school entrance results. She said that from what she has seen you will definitely get a better education ( in its broadest terms) at any of the non-profit schools.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 15:35
Thanks all for reassurance on journey times - sounds much more doable. Plano, yes we are very lucky to have this dilemma! I'm sure many Kings parents would like to be in our shoes and would no doubt take the place. I agree entirely that moving to DESS doesn't stop us trying for other secondaries aswell as DESC, and also gives us a better fallback ( in the shape of DESC) than an unestablished secondary that doesn't even have a building yet. Anyone have any views on how certain The Kings AL Barsha site is? Still no sign of any building work!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 14:28
just completed the KHDA form but did not find appropriate places for comments I wanted to make such as re ipads and cramped facilities. Not sure the KHDA asks the right questions. shame, as wasted feedback.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 12:59
Ah, didnt realise the upper years didnt double. Not so bad then.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 12:52
Mind you, given the doubling in numbers per year, the percentage going to DC has declined a lot.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 12:50
Chewit, thanks for that data. Shame people may have left based on inaccurate info (sure I heard more like 5, but will check). The rumour mill is indeed extremely active!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 12:00
Chewit, thats not what I heard from another departing parent (a handful only compared to quite a sizeable group). shame the school doesnt divulge leaving destinations so we would know for sure. Anyway, as you said earlier, the JC option has pretty much gone.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 11:47
DD is the resilient type, so should cope with the change fine tbh. Still feel guilty about moving her again so soon though. Didnt realise there had been such high staff turnover until this thread - newbies like us probably wouldnt realise. Lots of new faces admittedly, but thought that was mainly expansion driven. Looking at some of the young new teachers (some of whom admit they like to party!) this year, I can see the usual Dubai 2-3 year teaching stints becoming more common at Kings.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 10:07
Dinks, That was the original plan, before the DESS place came up. We will probably give it a shot even if we move her now. BUT, as you know it is very hard to get into, and becoming increasingly so (population growth?). AND, I have been told that very few got in from Kings this year. In fact very few from Kings seemed to get places anywhere! Kings track record has always been very good, but really changed this year, and the reasons are unclear. Possible explanations I have heard are a drop in standards, the school not preparing the kids well now that it has a secondary school, others schools not prioritising Kings kids... This is the main reason for some people taking their kids out of years 5-6. Big Blue, great to hear that journey isn't as bad as I thought. Google maps doesn't send you up Umm SUqeim road, so perhaps that's why. If that is a good route, then yes it most certainly should be a lot better when the changes to US rd are finished. And you are right of course that the right school is more important than location and worth a drive. I just rather like the local school thing. But i appreciate that is very rare in DUbai, and we are spoilt!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 09:24
Hi Plano, Thanks so much for that fabulous review - I should go and get the offer letter right away and sort it out! So many things you say back up our opinion. Art and DT at school rather than at home (we hate all the junk modelling type projects!) would be great. As would less homework. We're not averse to homework per se, it's just that we fail to see the value of some of the types of homework they get at Kings. Sport definitely seeme to be improving at Kings, but it doesn't have the sporting tradition that DESS has. We loved that they said they actually look out for sporting talent to develop. In fact, we got the feeling they try to develop all sorts of talents. This is not apparent at KIngs. Like you, whilst our daughter is very happy at Kings, we also feel the school is becoming increasingly corporate in ethos and feel, and with ex-Gems leaders now at the helm of the primary and secondary school, it is obvious which way they are going! As DH said, the profit driven feel is only going to get worse. One question re DESS: do they shuffle all the kids around every year like they seem to do at Kings? DD had friends in her old class last year, but what with the class reshuffle and kids leaving, now seems to be back at square one redeveloping close friendships. So she might as well be at a new school! It is hard that they have to go through that every year. In all honesty the only thing holding us back is location. We are very close to Kings, and I have just realised how far it would be to DESC from here. It's a long way from anywhere except the inland communities like AR, the Villa etc, which is not where we want to be in an ideal world. DESS is less of an issue really - it's pretty much 20 minutes from a lot of places, but DESC is 45 minutes away! I had started to doubt whether tying us to a school that is so inconveniently located was a wise idea. But then it doesn't prevent us trying for other, closer secondaries, and does give us an excellent back up. DESC did confirm it has a bus service from Jumeirah/Umm SUqeim, but I dread to think how long that would take! Anyway, that is nearly 2 years from now, so we can worry about that then! Thanks CHewit. I can see how KIngs has changed beyond recognition for those who were part of the original 2 form entry school. We weren't, but can sense a difference even from last year to this year.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 19:33
Hi CHewit, No probs with the delay. Believe it or not we re still undecided as to what to do! Plumped for moving to DESS before Eid, but now getting cold feet... The comfort of the familiar versus the great unknown. Have been in contact with DESC on transportation, but still need to discuss admissions with them. Thanks for clarifying the ownership position. When you say " it was felt at the time that the priorities had changed" do you mean the schools priorities had changed, hence the need for investment? Or that parents felt the school's priorities changed at that point? Do you know when this change took place by the way? On secondary schools, does anyone think there's a chance neither Al Barsha nor Nad al Sheba will be ready for next SEptember? After all (as another mum said to me) things have gone wrong with NAS, who's to say AL Barsha won't go the same way? Very pessimistic but you never know here!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 09:55
Thanks Asti, and apologies for hijacking your thread Janatks. Hope all goes well with your change of schools.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 09:41
Can the transfer certificate be done quite quickly, or not if it needs verifying by the KHDA?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 09:38
Out of interest, how much notice are you generally meant to give, or does it vary by school?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 October 2013 - 10:26
Hi, the fair is on Kite Beach in Umm SUqeim. Not sure why all the advertising says JUmeirah Open BEach as I thought that was in JUmeirah 1. Don't know when it opens, but we went in the evening, around 7, when it was nice and cool. The fireworks are at 8.30. Lots of families there at that time. No idea what it's like during the day.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 11:33
FairyDust, Fairly new here so didn't know there was a season for jellyfish. How long does the season last or can you get them at any time over the cooler months?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 11:30
Feefmick, was wondering about Black Palace. We usually go to Kite BEach but its been taken over by the family fair, great for us, but probably not for our friends (no kids).
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2013 - 23:00
Nice! Good to see the senior leadership taking parents' views seriously! They may find it backfires on them - a lot f parents seem unhappy about the iPad policy. I'd be amazed if the school maintains its outstanding rating personally, but maybe I'm just being naive! Would def agree with your friend's comment about the lack of competitive spirit. Very apparent in sports. Certainly don't think the school delivers on its 'the best by every child' motto. I don't think the educational experience is sufficiently individualised to meet that goal, and non-academic subjects like art, sport and music are not strong enough for those that excel in such areas. Will take a look at the KDHA website now. Wonder how many other families are missing envelopes??
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2013 - 12:46
The last remaining original member of staff left kings in July. Oh. Says it all really! Who owned KIngs originally then and when did the school change hands? From what I can make out it looks like ANC has had Kings Education in its portfolio for quite a while. Have to say I feel uneasy about the school just being part of a conglomerate's portfolio.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 22:55
Thanks Swils, This has also been a long thread on the main DUbai board. Glad to hear your kids are all happy at DESS/DESC. We visited DESS today and were stunned by the difference between a profit-making and non-profit school. I am not surprised so many parents are delighted with the school. It is a breath of fredh air in DUbai. I think we had just got used to the corporate feel of Kings and forgotten what a normal British school is like. So the decision may not be as hard as we had initially thought. The benefits of a more child-centred focus and greater certainty on secondary school should outweigh the inconvenience of the location. But we have yet to see what DD thinks. She did respond well to DESS, but given the choice I'm sure she'd prefer to stay put. I am pretty sure She would settle in quickly if she did move though - she's the adaptable type. Took her all of a day to settle in at Kings!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 21:52
Hi CHewit, I wasn't aware that the ownership of Kings had changed. When was that? Nor that all the original staff had left. Some yes, and a newish head which has apparently changed the feel and ethos of the school radically. You are right, I did say we were happy with the school and understand your initial response was based on that. It would probably have been more accurate to say that DD is very happy with the school. We do have reservations: the increasingly corporate feel and focus, the new iPad policy, the overcrowding, the lack of open communication on the new sites, much like everyone else who's posted. We also have some issues with the craft project type homework - time consuming, stressful and invariably tdone by parents! Likewise, we have had issues of rigidity on reading levels and maths sets, neither of which are reviewed frequently enough, and which are too inflexible to fully meet the needs of the individual child. The attitude to sport has been very uncompetitive, tHough this seems to have improved markedly this term with new staff. Gosh that's quite a lot of issues if I am really honest and probably enough to have made us change schools in LOndon! However, we came to DUbai with low expectations and try to take a more relaxed, realistic approach. We acknowledge that we just do not have the options we had in LOndon. Kings is pretty good by DUbai standards, far from perfect, but our child loves it. But this does not mean she would not love another school too, nor that she wouldn't do better elsewhere. We had been trying to play down all these issues, but our visit to DESS only served to highlight them and show us how things could be in a very different environment. Hope that makes sense!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 20:48
No envelope anywhere. Will have to ask at school after half term. Is that too late?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 20:18
Dragon/Newbie, I don't think you're hijacking my post - it's very relevant. We haven't received any information about the KHDA survey yet, other than the mention on the communicator. The cynic in me could suggest this is the schools way of limiting the damage! Could either of you tell me how to get online access to it? We would like to make similar comments to those you have both raised, particularly the ipad and overcrowding issues. The ipad policy is a disaster, and has simply resulted in the kids spending much more time on them. when I pick up DD she and her friends are huddled around their ipads and the reception is full of kids on their ipads. I really don't want to miss any deadline (is there one?) and the chance to have a say.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:32
I can live with a short walk! Amazing how lazy some people are here - cant bear to walk a few yards and would prefer to park badly and put kids in danger instead. Anyone come from as far as Umm SUqeim to DESS?
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:11
Thanks Faryn, SO encouraging to hear that! We always wanted DESS too, but couldn't get in and had to take a school place somewhere. Our educational consultant (you all know who!) tried to put us off DESS because of the location, traffic and parking, but we always felt it was the right place for a sporty child. Sounds like DESS is well worth the hassle of the drive from what I am reading here. Do most of the kids come by bus or car, or is it pretty even would you say? And is there much feeling of community given the location, the fact that kids probably live far and wide and many (?) probably come by bus? Do mums actually get to know each other for example, and do kids have play dates? This is all secondary (ha ha) to the educational aspects, but I'm curious none the less.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:03
CHewit, you seemed to be advocating staying put earlier, but what you are saying now is not very encouraging! Not good to hear your kids were behind on leaving Kings. Kings SATS results are amazing, so I'm very surprised. Where did your kids move on to incidentally? You are right - the kids canteen was only open for a few months before becoming the staff room this academic year, and now also the parents cafe. Kings is very creative with space! I did wonder if certain rooms would revert to their original usage when and if one of the other campuses opens, but I think not given the plan to extend the intake across all years to 5 forms. A space is a potential bum on a seat and a waste of space otherwise - that is abundantly clear! I am not sure I agree that Kings has yet to deliver on a building date. Sandringham building went up very quickly and they met the September opening date. But we were new to the school then, so don't know if that was actually postponed from a previous year (or years)? As far as we know, AL Barsha will not just be primary, but will go all the way through up to GCSE level. So the secondary classes currently at the Umm SUqeim site will have somewhere to go next SEptember, assuming it is actually built of course! No sign of any construction on that site yet though. Whatever happens with AL Barsha and NAS, KIngs will have to find an alternative solution for the secondary classes next year as the current site simply wont be able to accommodate another school year. They may be creative, but they can't magic more space out of thin air! I've heard so many different stories about what is happening with NAd al SHeba that I really have no idea what is accurate. Think we will just have to wait and see. It doesn't really matter so long as one of the new campuses is open.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 13:11
No, I don't think she should decide, but should nonetheless have a say. She is adaptable and outgoing, which makes a transition easier. Other than the geographical issue (local friends etc) I see no reason why she wouldn't be equally happy there after a while. i agree that some things are worth making sacrifices (convenience) for. I would certainly prioritise education over convenience.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 12:48
Blimey, just been on the DESS tour and what a stark contrast between a profit-making and non-profit school! The old, scruffy and laid back buildings were a bit of a shock at first compared to Kings glossy new premises. But that is not what matters in education! Whilst Kings has had to fill every nook and cranny with a class (admittedly a 'temporary' issue), DESS has large specialist rooms for art, DT, science and languages, so lots more space and facilities, albeit on the old side. The culture seems to be much more focused on developing the individual child, with more academic sets so that learning can be more precisely targeted, and more looking out for potential to develop, especially in sports. The competitive sports focus is fantastic if you have a sporty child. At the same time the school seems less pressurised and more laid back, particularly as regards home learning. Many of the teachers are very long standing, so none of this high turnover, 2-year contract business (Kings has been good on that front too, but I think that may be changing given the departure of old familiar faces in JUly and the number of new faces in the staff). Overall, less window dressing, more substance. Very impressed. Big dilemma now.... DD liked it too, but given the choice I imagine she would still choose to stick with the devil she knows, for obvious reasons. But I am confident that she would be just as happy eventually at DESS too. I am sure she would gain from the more individual approach and tthe schools genuine commitment to competitive sport. And we would all gain from the removal of stress regarding the secondary situation. On the minus side, there is still that horrible drive though (bus is full) snd the loss of the local school on your doorstep feel. All far more inconvenient, but probably worth it .
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2013 - 18:12
At Kings they have Arabic every day, so maybe they need to do more at home to make up the time.
 
 
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Pictured: Prague

The Best Cities in Europe for Expat Arrivals

House in Husavik

10 Amazing Things To Do In Iceland

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

The Labriz eforea spa location

Why Seychelles is One of the Best Holiday Destinations

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose