Dear Parents

As a school Executive Principal nothing makes me more proud than when our students’ attitudes and behaviours are recognised from not only within but also from outside the school. Demonstrating a positive attitude and respect for others are two of the most valuable attributes we can hope for in our young people today, and we must model these values. Last week at the Under 13 BISQ (British International Schools Qatar) Games, our team was awarded the ‘Sportsmanship Award Trophy’ for their outstanding school spirit. Last year at the same Games for the Under 11 age group, we were also awarded this trophy. In both cases, the votes from the other competing schools were unanimous in their decision to award Oryx. Learning to win is important, as is learning to lose, but learning to be outstanding, respectful citizens - despite any prevailing context - is invaluable. The attitude of our teams is already building a 5-star reputation for our school and in the process, helping to develop habits which will enable our students to succeed in life and to contribute meaningfully to their community and beyond. Our students, and our staff, are constantly striving to ‘be the best they can be’ and having received such recognition, you should be rightly proud of your children; I most certainly am! Thank you.

Some messages I received, following the Games, from the Principals of other competing schools:

‘The award was well deserved. Your students were great ambassadors. Congratulations!’

‘Great Stuff!! Good character will outlive victory!’

‘You’ve got some lovely children. Polite and great sportsmanship.’

Parent survey

Thank you to all parents who have returned the parent survey. The importance of your feedback, anonymously and in confidence, to support us make improvements is imperative to us and I would ask that if you have not yet submitted a survey that you would please do so by Thursday, 6th February when the survey window will close.

Uniform

During this cold period please make sure that your children are wearing warmer clothes.

  • The school fleece provides a good degree of warmth and should be worn to and from school and can be worn outdoors.
  • If, for any reason, you do not have the school fleece a black coat will be acceptable until further notice. No other colours are acceptable.
  • Fleeces and jackets should not be worn in class as the school jumper will suffice indoors.
  • Boys in primary who are wearing PE kit to school at the moment can wear plain black track suit trousers if they wish.
  • I would also remind you that girls’ skirts should be worn down to the knee and that jewellery other than one pair of stud earrings and a watch is not allowed.
  • I have instructed teachers to start issuing the ‘uniform infringement ‘letters, which I intimated last term, as it is one of our expectations

The regulation is that all students wear the correct uniform at all times.

Primary and Secondary Sports Days

Parents are welcome to attend the sports days as set out below and in our calendar, please sign in and out at the main security gate.

  • Sunday 16th February: FS1 & FS2 from 8-11am
  • Monday 17th February: Years 1 & 2 from 8-2pm
  • Tuesday 18th February: Years 3 & 4 from 8-2pm
  • Wednesday 19th February: Years 5&6 from 8-2pm
  • Thursday 20th February: All of Secondary from 8-2pm

Road works

Reminder that Ashghal (Road works department) might cause some disruption to the entry and exit points at the start and end of the school day. We will monitor this and hope that it will not be too invasive.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Mr. Derek Laidlaw

You can find photos of some of our events this term - Fire Safety with Qatar Airways, Fire Safety Truck with Kulluna, Exxon Mobil Tennis, Bayern Munchin visit, Music Competition with Ms. Fakhri and Mr. McNeany.