Essential Parent Information
WWW.CISDOHA.COM facebook.com/CISDOHA @CISDOHA Compass International School Doha
Gharaffa Campus: P.O. Box 23479, Plot 13 Al Waab Al Abareeq Street Gharaffa Area No. 31 Doha, Qatar
Rayyan Campus: Wadi Al Ghusm Street Al Rayyan. Doha. Qatar
Main Desk Gharaffa: +974 (0) 4034 9666 Main Desk Rayyan: +974 (0) 4034 9777
twitter.com/ cisdoha [email protected] facebook.com/cisdoha WWW.CISDOHA.COM
2 ESSENTIAL PARENT INFORMATION JULY 2015
AT
COMPASS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DOHA, RAYYAN & GHARAFFA
3 Welcome from the Principal
Dear Parents
Please find information in the following pages which will hopefully provide answers to some of the questions that you will have about joining our school as a new family.
It is very difficult to convey the warm atmosphere and feeling of our school on paper and if you haven’t already visited our school during the application process, we would invite you to visit during the start of the new term and learn about us first- hand. Tours may be organised for new families, but parents with a child transferring from one of our sister campuses are also very welcome to arrange a visit. We will also be organising a number of coffee mornings at the start of the new term to welcome all of our new parents.
We are very much looking forward to you being a part of our family at Gharaffa and Rayyan. We enjoy a positive and successful partnerships with our parents and there will be many and varied opportunities for you to participate in the life of the school. I feel one of the most valuable resources is the parent body and everyone at CIS Doha is very proud and appreciative of the continuing, invaluable support we receive from parents and the wider community.
As you will see from our website we are a very social school and host many events throughout the school year including family picnics, International Day, Qatar National Day, Book Week, Arabic evening, cinema nights, coffee morning’s and a whole host of school activities and trips throughout the year. We do hope that you will come and join in and if possible offer your services as either a class representative or a welcome volunteer at one of our events.
We are proud of our school and the quality education and experiences we provide at CIS. I hope that your child will be very happy during his or her stay with us and you can be assured of our full commitment to your child’s needs at all times.
4 Hopefully, the following information will provide all the essential details you require to prepare your child for the start of the new school year, but if there is anything else we can help with, please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team who will be at school throughout the summer. You can also e-mail any questions or concerns to our Marketing and Admissions Director, Kathryn McCulloch at: [email protected]
I very much look forward to seeing you on 6 September 2015 for our induction morning.
I wish you a happy summer and for those of you relocating to Qatar a safe and pleasant journey.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Horton
Principal
5 Welcome morning for new starters Our School Day
We will be holding a welcome morning for all new starters, excluding Early Years 1 children on Sunday 6th September 2015 from 8 am at Rayyan and from 9 am at Gharaffa. Parents and children will be welcomed in to the school hall. After a the short presentation parents may stay for a coffee and return after approximately 2 hours. During this time your child will be taken on an orientation of the school. This will allow them to become familiar with the school facilities and is a chance for them to see their classroom, meet their teacher and other new classmates in advance of the first day of term on the 7 September. It is important that all new children attend the Welcome morning. All children should come to school in school uniform on this day and there is no need to bring anything else. We anticipate that the morning’s proceedings will conclude by 10am at Rayyan and 11am at our Gharaffa campus. You will be free to take your children home after this time. There will be no school day on Sunday 6 September after the conclusion of the induction morning.
The whole school will start for the new term at 7.20am on Monday 7 September 2015.
How to find us?
Both Gharaffa and Rayyan enjoy excellent, easily accessible locations in Doha.
Our Rayyan campus is located in the grounds of a former palace, towards the West of Doha city and close to the Al Shaqab Stables. Our Gharaffa campus is also found to the West of the city, but North of our Rayyan campus and very close to Doha’s Education City, the Qatar Science and Technology Park and the Sidra Hospital Development.
For specific location details, please refer to the campus maps which can be downloaded from our website or the Google map links below (please press Ctrl and click to follow link): Gharaffa campus: https://goo.gl/maps/rhKna Rayyan campus: https://goo.gl/maps/sVK0g
6 Our School Day
Year 1 to Year 6 Drop off is from 7:00am and the school day begins at 7:20am.
Registration is from 7.20-7.30am and all children must be in their classroom during this period.
Lesson 1: 7.30 am to 8.30 am Lesson 2: 8.30 am to 9.30 am First Break: 9.30 – 10am Lesson 3: 10.00 am to 10.45 am Lesson4: 10.45 am to 11.30 am Lunch 11.30 am- 12.00 noon Lesson 5: 12.00 noon to 12.45 pm Lesson 6: 12.45 pm to 13.30pm
School day ends 13.30pm
Please note that Early Years starts at 7.20 am but finishes at 13.20 pm
Extra- curricular activities Our ECA clubs run from 13.30pm to 14.30pm.
A letter and request form will be sent home during the first week of term outlining the vari- ous extra-curricular activities. The request form will need to be completed and returned to our school secretary. ECA’s are run by our own teaching staff or specialist staff who are employed to run specific training sessions. Most of the activities are held in school, but some such as sailing and golf will be held off-site. Transport arrangements for off-site -ac tivities, timings and equipment required for specialist activities will be communicated with parents separately. Most of our clubs are free of charge, but where a specialist teacher is employed for activities such as judo, horse riding or musical instrument tuition, an appro- priate charge will be made. ECA’s are an opportunity for our children to explore different activities and to get a taste for an activity they would like to pursue. All ECA’s are targeted to specific age groups and have a limited number of spaces, ensuring that the children gain the most from the experience. The school will try to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to experience every activity they wish to at some point in the school year. Our ECA clubs will commence from Sunday 4th October.
7 Drop Off arrangements/Parking
Please be advised that parents are responsible for the supervision of their children after dismissal at 13:30 pm unless they are attending an ECA. We respectfully ask that you col- lect your children on time at the end of their school day.
There are dedicated drop off areas, as well as parking facilities for all of our parents. Safety is of paramount importance when children are entering or leaving the school premises. Uniformed security guards are on duty in the car park and outside the school entrance; please follow their guidance at all times. If your child is dropped off by a driver, we would ask that you are very clear with your driver that they should also follow the instructions of our security guards.
Please drive very slowly in the vicinity of the school at all times.
On occasion, you may be asked to wait in a queue for safety reasons. Please park your vehicle where directed. We thank you in advance for your co-operation in this important matter.
Where do the children go on arrival at school?
Early Years parents and drivers must escort their children to their classroom and ensure they are handed over to an Early Years member of staff.
Year 1 to Year 6 children should assemble in the playground and will be escorted to their classroom by their class teacher.
Arrangements for the end of the school day
Class teachers will escort their class out of the classroom at 1.30pm and stand in allocated areas in the school playground, where parents are able to collect their child.
Early Years children are to be collected from the classroom at 13.20pm.
8 Recreation, Snacks and Lunch
We have two sessions per day for eating and recreation. Early Years have their own shaded and enclosed play area and there is a large playground and shaded areas for our primary school children. All recreation and lunch sessions are supervised by our duty staff.
Children are asked to bring a healthy snack and lunch to school to encourage healthy liv- ing and maximise brain capacity for learning. Please do not include sweets, chocolates or fizzy drinks in your child’s lunch and always try to include a piece of fruit or vegetable.
We operate a strictly NO NUT policy. Please don’t pack any glass containers or bottle as these could break and cause an injury. Please ensure that your child’s lunch box is kept cool with an ice pack and that the box is clearly labelled with your child’s name. It is essential that your child brings a clean water bottle every day. Water bottles can be replenished at school so please ensure that you supply your child with a re-fillable water bottle.
If your child has forgotten their lunch please deliver it to the School Reception and it will be sent to your child’s class.
During outdoor recreation, sport or learning activities, we encourage students to wear school caps. For younger children, during the hotter months, we will send reminders home about the importance of applying sun-cream before school and that wearing of hats is compulsory.
What equipment will you need to bring to school?
• School bag • Book bag • Cooled packed lunch • Re-fillable water bottle • School hat (we operate a ‘no hat, no play’ policy). It is not essential to purchase the official school hat, but all children must be in possession of a suitable hat during the warmer months.
The school provides all stationery.
9 Uniform
Our uniform consists of the following items:
• Official school yellow polo t-shirt with crest for boys and girls. • Smart dark blue shorts for boys during the summer and long dark blue trousers in the winter. • Girls wear smart dark blue shorts or skirt during the summer and dark blue skirt or trousers during winter. • Early Years girls may also wear navy or black leggings. • Plain Dark coloured socks for boys and white socks for girls. • Dark blue or black school shoes (not open toe sandals) for boys and girls. • School crested blue fleece (this can be purchased from Uniform Mart), or any smart dark blue fleece, cardigan or jumper in the winter for boys and girls.
Girls are welcome to wear hijabs, leggings under their skirts or shorts and long sleeves under their polo shirt to comply with local religious customs.
PE Kit
• School branded dark blue and yellow polo shirt. • Dark blue shorts. • Suitable trainers. • Any suitable coloured swimsuit and swim hat may be worn (available from Uniform Mart) for swimming lessons.
It is essential that you label all clothing clearly in case any items are lost.
Accessories available to purchase at Uniform Mart:
• Legionaire style cap • School Book Bag • Pack packs • Sport kit bag
Personal Appearance Jewellery other than a watch and simple stud earrings is not allowed. No nail polish. Long hair should be tied back and this is essential for PE lessons.
10 Uniform Mart
Uniforms are available to purchase from Uniform Mart in Gharaffa. Tel: +974 (4) 44691459 or 44115925 Opening hours: Normally open Saturday to Thursday, 10:00am to 7:00pm. Please call to check before visiting. Email: [email protected]
11 General information
Transport
CIS do not operate their own transport service, but we do work with Tri Logistics, who provide a daily transport service to our campuses. The arrangement is private between yourselves and Tri Logistics and payment should be made to Tri Logistics direct. For details of bus routes, compound pickup /drop off times please refer to their web- site: http://www.trilogistic.com/transportation.html or contact: +974 (0) 5532 8456 or email [email protected] The office for Tri Logistics can be found at the American School Doha (ASD).
Invoicing and tuition fees
Any fee-related queries should be addressed directly to the Finance Department. Amanda Lobo, Accounts Assistant deals with all matters relating to school fees and can be contacted by email at [email protected]
Absences
Please contact the school office as soon as you can if your child is unexpectedly absent from school due to illness or other unplanned events. Absences should be explained so that the correct follow up procedures can take place. Good attendance and time keeping is part of high achievement. If your child is absent for a planned event, please write in advance to the Head of Campus so that they are aware and can follow the necessary procedures. We do not encourage you to take your child out of school during term-time.
Punctuality
Children are expected and required to arrive on time for registration and lessons and we ask that you ensure they arrive and are collected in good time. If your child arrives at school after registration they will be required to go to the school office before class to sign the ‘Late Book’. Parents are expected to do this for the younger pupils. Please note our first lessons are either maths or English, so it is important your child arrives on time.
12 Procedures if your child needs to leave early for medical or other appointments
If your child is required to leave school early for essential appointments, we would ask that you follow the procedures outlined below:
• Please inform the class teacher in advance by letter or email. • Report to the school reception when you come to collect your child and sign the necessary form, which will then be taken to the class teacher for signature. • The signed form should be handed in to the security office at the main gates on departure
Communication
Reports and Parent meetings
Parent meetings and reports are arranged for the end of each term.
E-mail contact
Almost all of our school contact with parents is by our central e-mail system. Please ensure we have your correct e-mail details and contact telephone numbers.
Newsletter
Currently each campus produces a fortnightly newsletter, which is emailed every other Thursday afternoon. Paper copies for parents without access to email and are also available from the school office and a copy is displayed on the school notice board as well as uploaded to the school website. The newsletter includes whole school news, information on events, important reminders as well as highlighting our whole school or individual achievements. If your child receives any out-of school achievements, please let us know so that we can celebrate it as part of our achievement assemblies and include it in appropriate marketing communications.
We are currently reviewing the format and frequency of our school newsletter and are likely to make changes for the 2015/16 school year.
13 General information General information
Notice Board
Our school Notice Board at Gharaffa is currently located in the school playground (this may be moved during the summer break to outside the main school gates) and the notice board at Rayyan can be found in the school reception area. Please keep an eye on the boards for general school information.
Website
Our website provides parents with regular news blogs, calendars, photographs and important dates. Please access the ‘Essential Parent Information’ section in the top right hand corner of our website. Our website can be found at www.cisdoha.com and we would encourage you to visit it regularly.
School photographs for marketing purposes
The school takes photographs for use in classroom displays, promotional material, the school website and social media sites. All photographs are taken with respect and in line with cultural sensitivities. If you do not wish your child to be photographed please inform the Director of Marketing and Admissions in the school Admissions office.
Change of Contact details
Please notify the school immediately of any changes to your address, telephone number or email. It is essential that we have updated emergency contacts for your child. As our main direct communication with you is via email, please ensure that you inform the school office of your preferred email contact details for all school communication.
Please like our facebook page www.facebook.com/cisdoha, here you will find photo albums on the latest events and happenings in our school.
Please follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/cisdoha for latest news and snapshots of the activities that take place at school on a day to day basis.
14 General information
Moodle
This learning and communication platform will be further developed next year to give parents more access to their child’s learning. We will communicate with you more about this at it develops. https://learning.doharayyangharaffa.nordanglia.com/login
School Calendar
We produce a termly school calendar of important dates including activities and events, class assemblies and much more. The calendar will be emailed to you and will also appear on the school website and Moodle.
Annual School Year Book
In June we produce our annual School Year Book ‘Our Story’, this is a wonderful colour A4 magazine-style publication that chronicles the full year of our schools news, events and activities. It includes samples of outstanding work, details and photographs of our trips, artwork displays, IPC topics and lots more. Our new yearbook for 2015 is now available to purchase from the school office for QR80. Your child will be interested to see everything that we do at CIS as preparation for joining us in September. There are lots of photographs so it is also suitable for our very youngest children. If you would like to purchase a copy please contact the school office.
Lost Property
If a student finds something that someone has lost please hand it into the security guards office. If a pupil has lost something they should inform their class teacher and check in the security office. Items that have the owners name clearly labelled are easy to return. Please make sure you label all belongings.
15 USEFUL CONTACTS
Health
Our schools have ‘Nurses Rooms’ with full-time qualified nurses on hand, should your child require medical assistance. Our nurses or a qualified firsdt-aider are in attendance during school trips.
The school nurses visit classes throughout the year to speak about health issues and we invite local nursing students to come in to run health day activities and promotions.
You will receive a Health Form at the start of the new academic year. Please en- sure that this is completed and returned to the school office. Please also ensure that we have a copy of your child’s health and vaccination records. If your child visits the nurse during the school day and receives treatment you will receive a call from the nurse to inform you and their visit and treat- ment will be recorded on our health and safety system.
For students who are too unwell to stay at school, you will receive a phone call from either the nurse or the school secretary. Your child will remain in bed in the nurses’ office until you are able to collect them. If for any reason your child meets with a medical emergency that requires treatment that the school nurse cannot provide, you will be contacted immediately and informed which hospital your child has been taken to. The school’s hospital link is Hamad Hospital.
Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell.
School Trips
Every class enjoys school trips throughout the year, even the Early Years 1 children. Our Year 5 children go camping in the desert and our Year 6 children go to a residential activity camp. These trips are eagerly anticipated and always enjoyed!
16 USEFUL CONTACTS
Rayyan Campus Secretary Gharaffa and Rayyan campus Mrs Jan Flattley – [email protected] Admissions and Marketing Director Telephone: 4034 9777 Mrs Kathryn McCulloch Email: [email protected] Rayyan Campus School Nurse: Lynn Hill & Katrina Hicks Gharaffa and Rayyan campus Telephone: 4034 9777 Extension: 708 Marketing and Communications Officer Miss Katie Wilson Rayyan Campus Admissions Officer Email: [email protected] Mrs Sally Horton Telephone 4034 9777 Extension 702 Gharaffa and Rayyan campus Finance Manager Mr Ian Bolton Gharaffa Campus Secretary Email: [email protected] Mrs Helen Stevenson – [email protected] Telephone: 4034 9600 Gharaffa and Rayyan campus Finance Assistant – billing Gharaffa Campus School Nurse: Amy Lim Miss Amanda Lobo Telephone: 4034 4617 Email: [email protected] Gharaffa Campus Admissions Officer Mrs Arshia Anwar Telephone 4034 9601
17 Proposed Term Dates 2015-2016
TERM 1 INDUCTION MORNING FOR NEW STARTERS SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2015 MONDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2015 TERM COMMENCES
TBA EID AL ADHA
SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER - 29 OCTOBER 2015 HALF-TERM HOLIDAY
THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER 2015 LAST DAY OF TERM 1
TERM 2
SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2016 TERM 2 COMMENCES
SUNDAY 31 JANUARY - THURSDAY 4 HALF-TERM HOLIDAY FEBRUARY 2016 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 LAST DAY OF TERM 2
TERM 3
SUNDAY 10 APRIL 2016 TERM 3 COMMENCES
SUNDAY 29 MAY - MONDAY 30 MAY 2016 HALF-TERM HOLIDAY
THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016 LAST SCHOOL DAY OF ACADEMIC LEVEL
These dates may be subject to change in line with official holidays in Qatar or with notification from the SEC.
18 Compass International School Doha, Rayyan & Gharaffa
Gharaffa Campus:
P.O. Box 23479, Plot 13 Al Waab Al Abareeq Street
Gharaffa Area No. 31 Doha, Qatar
Rayyan Campus:
Wadi Al Ghusm Street Al Rayyan. Doha. Qatar
Main Desk Gharaffa:+974 (0) 4034 9666 Main Desk Rayyan: +974 (0) 4034 9777 www.cisdoha.com
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